These drum-beaters are a vital part of election campaigns

Hours before an election campaign, the venue mostly resembles a festival. Groups of people assemble the stage, rig up speakers, and tie banana leaves and garlands to the arches of the entrance. The activity is conspicuous with the sound of drums piquing your curiosity.

By the entrance, Chenda Melam players were on one side. Adjacent to them was another set of percussion artistes, with drums blaring through the Mylapore neighbourhood long before AIADMK general secretary  Edappadi K. Palaniswami arrived to launch his campaign in the city recently.

Dancers entertaining the party workers at a recent AIADMK campaign event at Mylapore in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
S.R. RAGHUNATHAN

“We start the work long before the campaigns start during the day to pull the crowd in. Our drum sounds reach people staying indoors and prompt them to come out and listen to the candidates,” said  Dhinesh Kumar, 23, from Ramanathapuram, who was performing  Chenda Melam with three rows of artistes.

Some years ago, the election period was the peak season for these percussion artistes. They would look for other jobs thereafter. However, the drummers say the demand now is year-round. “We play for store openings, temples, functions, and events these days. During the election season, we are busier since we play for the campaign of any political party,” said Manikkam K., a drummer of another troupe at the venue. He hails from Ranipet, and has been in this field for the past 35 years.

He added, “Usually, at political campaigns, we drum for 3-4 hours as instructed by a party functionary, and we don’t get many long breaks. So, when artistes have not eaten, they sometimes faint during the event.”

Mr. Dhinesh Kumar said most of their regular events would happen either in the morning or in the evening. But political campaigns run throughout the day at different venues. So the team makes sure they are well prepared. “Carrying these instruments is a tough task, but it is our livelihood, and we are happy that a set of events has been lined up for us,” he added.