In Tamil Nadu, Doctors Turned Rappers to Spark Civic Sense Among Voters
As Tamil Nadu approaches its next election cycle, a group of doctors is attempting to address a familiar concern — voter apathy — with an unexpected intervention. Their tool is not a campaign or a public appeal, but a Tamil rock song 'Vaa Vote Podu' , with evocative rap segments. The idea took shape during a routine catch-up between Chennai-based ophthalmic surgeon Dr Murugananth Sabapathy and his friend, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ananth Krishnan. As their conversation drifted to the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu, so did a shared concern: why do so many people, across age groups, still not show up to vote? “We have been seeing a section from Gen Z , to even those in their 50s, that seems apathetic to exercise their franchise,” Dr Sabapathy noted. “We felt a powerful song could cut through.” To both doctors, the idea of creating a song emerged organically. What began as a conversation soon turned into a collaborative effort — one that sought to translate civic responsibility into something more immediate and relatable. Built for recall, rooted in culture, driven by urgency For Dr Sabapathy, the song was designed as much for recall as for impact. “We wanted it to be a sing-along — something almost trance-like, with a repetitive hook that stays in your mind,” he explains. To root it in familiar cultural forms, the track incorporates the Parai instrument, drawing from traditional modes of community communication. “It’s something people instinctively connect with.” The addition of a rap segment,
As Tamil Nadu gears up for its upcoming election cycle, a group of doctors has taken an unconventional approach to tackle a persistent issue: voter apathy. Instead of traditional campaigning or public appeals, they have turned to music, specifically a Tamil rock song titled 'Vaa Vote Podu,' which features evocative rap segments. The idea was born out of a casual conversation between Chennai-based ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Murugananth Sabapathy and his friend, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Ananth Krishnan.
During a routine catch-up, their discussion shifted to the upcoming elections, and both doctors expressed concern over the low voter turnout across various age groups. "We have been seeing a section from Gen Z, to even those in their 50s, that seems apathetic to exercise their franchise," Dr. Sabapathy remarked. "We felt a powerful song could cut through." The idea of creating a song emerged organically, transforming from a conversation into a collaborative effort aimed at making civic responsibility more immediate and relatable.
Dr. Sabapathy emphasized that the song was designed to be memorable and impactful. "We wanted it to be a sing-alongтАФsomething almost trance-like, with a repetitive hook that stays in your mind," he explained. To ensure cultural relevance, the track incorporates the Parai instrument, a traditional South Indian percussion instrument, which has been used for centuries in community communication. "It's something people instinctively connect with," Dr. Sabapathy noted.
The addition of a rap segment was deliberate, as the doctors aimed to appeal to younger listeners and carry the more political, poetic parts of the message. Dr. Sabapathy, who composed and led the vocals, collaborated with fellow doctor Dr. Rajkumar, who has prior experience in music production. All three collaboratorsтАФDr. Sabapathy, Dr. Ananth Krishnan, and Dr. RajkumarтАФstudied at the same college, bringing complementary skills to the project.
The song's lyrics encourage voters to participate in the elections, emphasizing the importance of their voice in shaping the future of the state. By blending traditional and modern elements, the doctors hope to resonate with a wide audience, bridging the gap between different generations and fostering a sense of civic duty.
This unique initiative highlights the power of music to inspire change and mobilize people towards a common goal. As the election date approaches, 'Vaa Vote Podu' serves as a reminder that every vote counts, and that collective action can make a difference. The doctors' innovative approach not only addresses voter apathy but also showcases the potential of unconventional methods in driving meaningful social change.
