If election campaigns mean shrill rhetoric and sharp attacks on political rivals, Prahlad Singh Tipaniya could well stand out for his unique approach.
A stranger to the world of politics so far but a renowned folk singer from the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Tipaniya has been declared as the Congress candidate from Dewas, a reserved seat for Scheduled Castes.
The folk singer, whose mastery of Kabir bhajans is well known, said he will reach out to his voters through his bhajans.
“I will talk about well-being, compassion and progress through my bhajans,” said Prahlad-ji, as he is popularly called, while speaking to The Hindu over phone from his ancestral village of Luniyakhedi in Ujjain district.
At a time when election speeches have become more about sharp, personal attacks on rivals, will bhajans be enough to take on his rivals? “You can put me in politics, but can't take the bhajan out of me. Everyone has a point of view. My view is that while some have a more ugra (aggressive) way of putting across their ideas, you can permanently change someone’s mind only when you can convince him with conviction," he said.
A Padma Shri recipient, Mr. Tipaniya, who now spends most of his time talking of Sadguru Kabir Sewa Smarak Shodh Sansthan, has travelled around the world, spreading the message of compassion and fraternity as propounded by Kabir, a 15th century poet who is now regarded as a saint by his followers.
Asked how he plans to handle the divisive discourse during elections, especially with regard to polarising issues such as religion and caste, he offers Kabir's dohas (couplets) to make a point about ignorance.
"What is the religion of paani (water), hawa (air) or a tree? Don’t you know that they exist to serve everyone?” said the folk singer, who retired as a school science teacher.
“If the Sadguru [Sant Kabir] gives me the opportunity to serve the people through politics, then I will do so. I have not yet thought about what will happen if they target me personally,” he added.