The District Administration here has found a way to educate rural voters, who could be bribed by politicians. While stressing people to vote for ‘good’ candidates, the administration has roped in folk artists to perform and drive home the point that they should not get lured by money.
The initiative started at the Subramania Swamy Temple in Thiruparankundram had covered nearly 10 places in the west taluk on Tuesday.
“Mere words may not be helpful. Hence, we decided to take help of folk artists which ensured a good crowd everywhere,” said V Muthuramalingam, tahsildar, west Madurai.
The play at the temple showed a hungry farmer coming home and his wife rushing out without giving him food. The farmer later came to know, she was rushing to get money distributed by a political party.
Traditional art forms such as Karakattam, Marakkalattam and folk songs were used by the artists. Street plays were performed at different places in the city.
“We asked them to write scripts, stressing the public to resist money from politicians. The challenge is also to drive voters to the polling booths,” said the tahsildar.