1. Home
2. Jammu

Election season hits demand for traditional dhol players

Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 10/1/2018 10:35:14 AM

SUBODH BHASIN Jammu, Sep 30 As the elections season hits out , candidates contesting the election are frequently seen the dhol during campaign. As the campaign gain momentum, the candidates campaigning for the upcoming urban local bodies (ULB) elections, the demand for traditional dhol players has gone up. Talking to Young Bites Correspondent Romesh Kumar said he is facing a tough time to eke out his living but now as election season is in full swing; the demand has increased, as people seem to be upbeat more for their camping in various roads and streets. During door-to-door campaigns, candidates of the BJP, Congress and Independents can be seen using traditional methods to draw the attention of voters. Majority of dhol players are from rural areas, especially from Katra, Udhampur and Billawar apart few from bahu fort and are hired during the marriage season, rest of the time they have to perform petty jobs for the rest of the year to run their families. “Our demand has increased manifold and we are getting good earning daily as everybody is approaching us these days. For the next two months, we hope to make good money. A lot of invitations are lined up for us,” said Labha Ram, a dhol player campaigning for a contesting candidate. He added that these days we earn anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 per day during the campaigning period as candidates with political backing pay more, while Independents pay less. We also get free meals. Not only the Dholls are being used for but candidates are also hiring supporters to campaign for them. Who are paid on a daily basis. “People seldom come out with us, so it’s important to hire people. We are not doing anything wrong. They get money, we get support,” said a candidate.