As Bihar prepares for its two-phased Assembly polls, political parties are turning to Bhojpuri music to reach voters across villages and online platforms. Songs celebrating regional pride, development promises, and party ideologies have flooded social media and small studios. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari released a song highlighting Bihari pride, mentioning celebrated writers like Phanishwar Nath Renu and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Nalanda University, and historical figures. The track has gathered over eight lakh views. Meanwhile, candidates like Maithili Thakur directly appeal to voters through songs on campaign trails, while actor-singer Pawan Singh's pro-NDA song has attracted 11 lakh views. Jan Suraaj candidate Ritesh Pandey sings about employment and curbing migration under Prashant Kishor's agenda. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's social media features songs promising change. Composers and lyricists work across party lines, creating music that ranges from Chhath bhajans to campaign anthems, all aiming to capture the attention of Bihar's electorate through culturally resonant beats and messages.
Songs Celebrating Identity and Historical Pride
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari released a song transforming Bihari identity into pride, featuring lines like "We have the artistry to turn sand into gold, yes, we are Biharis." The track, released two weeks ago by Bhojpuri IT cell run by Singapore-based engineer Shailendra Singh, references celebrated writers Phanishwar Nath Renu and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Nalanda University, and freedom fighter Kunwar Singh. Mumbai-based lyricist Atul Kumar Rai wrote the song to counter stereotypes around Bihar, aiming to inspire youth with the state's actual history. The song has garnered over eight lakh views. Rai clarified it does not endorse any specific party, though Tiwari's association and the election timing led many to perceive BJP backing.
Campaign Music Across Party Lines and Platforms
Multiple candidates are leveraging music for outreach. BJP candidate Maithili Thakur sings directly to voters during rallies, while actor-singer Pawan Singh, expelled last year for contesting independently, released a pro-NDA song attracting 11 lakh views. Jan Suraaj candidate Ritesh Pandey performs songs highlighting employment and migration issues under Prashant Kishor's agenda. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's social media features tracks promising governmental change. Studios like Laxmi Audio Video produce songs supporting Nitish Kumar, Kishor, and Tejashwi. Lyricist R R Pankaj noted composers work across parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently criticized a viral song mentioning weapons, though it was released independently for entertainment, not officially by opposition channels.
Source: Link