Political parties campaigning through dance and drama in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Apr 24 (ANI): Political parties are turning to traditional folk theatre and dance-dramas to reach out to the masses in Gujarat.

The parties in Gujarat are not only selecting advanced campaigning methods to woo voters, but are also using the traditional way of election campaigning through folk theatre form popularly known as 'Bhavai'.

Folk theatre is an effective medium to convey the message of a political party directly to the voters by dances and enacting stories.

More than a hundred teams of artists are performing such street plays for various political parties like the Congress, the BJP and other independent candidates across the state.

Mallika Sarabhai, who is an Independent candidate from Gandhi Nagar Lokabha seat contesting against BJP's prime ministerial candidate LK Advani hired her own troops of for campaigning.

Young artists danced to the drumbeats in traditional Gujarati dance forms.

As a poll strategy, political parties hire these troops who perform in urban or rural areas conveying the party's message through the form of dance and drama.

Manish Pathak, an organiser of 'Bhavai' for the Congress Party said that the medium is an effective way of reaching the masses within a short period of time.

"Through this medium, we go to every nook and corner and inform people about the schemes of government as well as the candidate's capabilities.

Through our performances, people become aware of all the necessary information and the benefits they would receive from the schemes by government within a short span of time, " said Pathak.

The group, which performed 'Bhavai', projected the theme of showing failure of the BJP Government in the state and success of the UPA Government schemes depicting a favorable picture for the Congress amongst the voters.

Residents appreciated the folk theatre as an original medium of campaign.

"The methods of street plays are entertaining. Speaking endlessly in front of public will not work at all. There should also be some entertaining factor in a campaign and in that case street plays are a successful medium," said Siraj Rangwala, a resident. (ANI)