A Look At Delhi’s Electoral Music Campaigns: How Political Tunes Are Shaping Voter Sentiment

As election season heats up in Delhi, campaign music is taking center stage, shaping how voters connect with political parties. It’s no longer just background noise at rallies—these songs are carefully designed to stir emotions, reinforce party messages, and engage young, digital-savvy voters. From traditional melodies to modern beats, every party is using music to make a lasting impact.

Just like when you hear campaign songs echoing through the streets, with supporters chanting catchy slogans, these tunes have become a powerful tool for grabbing attention and winning hearts.

The Changing Sound of Campaign Music

Manish Chatrath, Congress leader, highlights how electoral music has evolved to deeply resonate with Delhi’s diverse electorate. “Unlike past campaigns that often relied on traditional tunes, today's strategies incorporate a blend of local dialects and contemporary beats to appeal to younger voters. A notable innovation is the adaptation of popular regional songs with tailored lyrics, as seen in the recent adaptation of a traditional sohar by the Aam Aadmi Party to connect with Purvanchali voters. This approach not only honors cultural sentiments but also amplifies the campaign's reach and relatability.”

Congress is launching its most extensive outreach initiative in Delhi. The program focuses on engaging with various social groups and gathering suggestions for the party's manifesto, with a particular emphasis on issues affecting students and educational infrastructure.

This shift underscores a broader trend: political messaging is no longer limited to speeches and manifestos. Instead, music is being used as a powerful storytelling tool, bridging generational and cultural gaps.

Music as a Reflection of Public Sentiment

Vitasta Kaul, CMO of Hoopr, sheds light on the kind of music that is truly resonating with voters this election season. “The music resonating with voters this election isn’t just entertainment—it’s a reflection of the mood on the ground. Voters are connecting with songs that are sharp, even satirical, in their messaging. These tracks don’t shy away from addressing inefficiencies or issues with both the ruling party and the opposition. The appeal lies in their relatability—they tap into frustrations, highlight unfulfilled promises, and echo everyday struggles.”

Kaul further explains that this music serves as a political crash course for first-time voters. “Many young individuals are not deeply familiar with the political landscape or the parties’ track records. These songs, with their clever lyrics and simple storytelling, act as an accessible way to weigh the pros and cons in a matter of minutes. It’s music with a purpose, and that’s what makes it powerful this season.”

A Shift from Grand Anthems to Digital-First Strategies

Comparing today’s campaign music to that of previous elections, Kaul observes a significant transformation. “If we rewind a few years, the music of election campaigns was more optimistic and future-focused. It was about progress, prosperity, and promises. Themes like better education, economic upliftment, and sanitation improvements dominated campaign tunes.”

Today, however, political music has adapted to a digital-first audience. “Instead of grand orchestral themes or elaborate ads, it’s all about snappy, catchy tunes that can trend on Instagram and Twitter. Political parties are adapting to a younger audience that consumes content quickly and on-the-go. The storytelling has become shorter, the beats more modern, and the hooks sharper. In a way, campaign music has evolved to be less of a lecture and more of a conversation.”

Innovations Driving the New Era of Political Music

Beyond stylistic shifts, election campaigns are witnessing groundbreaking innovations in how music is being used to capture voter attention. Sukhesh Madaan, CEO of Blaupunkt Audio India, points to the increasing influence of youth-driven trends in campaign music. “I think the youth are the most influential group in this election. Being the largest section of the population, they dictate the trends, especially when it comes to music. The music used by various parties has a very modern feel. You will see and hear this if you look at their campaigns and even the rallies. Sure, the themes are nationalistic and patriotic, but unlike in the past, more modern rhythms, beats, and styles are being used.”

Madaan also notes the shift from using Bollywood classics to composing original tracks. “In the past, most political parties used patriotic songs from old Bollywood hits. Now, I see more music being composed. Original tracks are made, which is great as we have so many musically talented people. The music is also more modern, and you can hear every style—from Disco to Bollywood Blues and even some Rap. This leads to a better connection with today’s youth.”

The most notable innovation, according to Madaan, is the replacement of traditional speeches with music-driven messaging. “Music is always about innovation. Politicians are realizing that today’s youth is an independent-thinking group that knows what it wants and has the ability to steer things their way. This is why so much attention is being given to them. Political parties understand music is a great way to connect with them.

Some of the innovations we hear today include setting political issues to different tunes instead of traditional speeches. This works way better than a boring speech and is also more memorable. Some time ago, there was a Hindi rap track that did this brilliantly. Given that attention spans are getting shorter, music is a great way to get a message home.”

The Future of Electoral Music

With election campaigns becoming increasingly music-driven, the role of soundtracks in political messaging is only set to grow. The 2024 Delhi elections have proven that campaign music is no longer just a tool for entertainment—it is a medium for education, emotional connection, and voter mobilization. As political parties continue to refine their musical strategies, one thing is clear: the sound of elections will never be the same again.