Garhwali music a rage in Uttarakhand polls

With a touch of modernity and traditions, the Garhwali music is on the top of the chart, thanks to the Uttarakhand assembly elections.

From traditional musical instruments like Dhols and Ransinghas to musical nights of top Garhwali singers, political parties are using the Garhwali music to boost their electoral fortunes.

A video CD Nauchhami Naraina lampooning Chief Minister N D Tiwari is also a rage with Opposition parties distributing its copies among the people.

According to market sources, nearly four lakh video CDs have been sold out in both Garhwal and Kumaon regions where people are dancing to the tunes of folk Garhwali singer Narendra Singh Negi.

"You travel anywhere in Garhwal, you will find this music being played at several areas during the elections," said Raja Bist, a social activist.

Nauchhami Naraina is a satire on the current political situation in Uttarakhand with Tiwari as its main target. Songs on sundry scandals are catching the fancy of the people. The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, a key regional party, has roped in Negi to woo the electorate.

UKD has also fielded another top Garhwali singer Pritam Bhartwan from Dhanaulti constituency. Both Negi and Bhartwan are drawing huge crowd in their various musical programmes in the Garhwal region.