The fading appeal robs the political contours of livelihood.

B., a 52-year-old resident of Madurai. Ramachandran has similarities with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran apart from his name. Dressed like the AIADMK founder since 1987, the stage artist participated in hundreds of political campaigns, rallies and victory celebrations. Even he follows a strict diet and exercise routine to ensure that he can be the lookalike of the former CM.

But with a smaller, more tech-savvy electorate, the rewards of a spitting image are dwindling.

“Artists who look like me dress up as eminent political leaders and participate in election campaigns. Political parties use us to woo voters. However, no political party has taken measures to improve our livelihood, which are at stake.

The eyes of political leaders, who usually perform at temple festivals, stage shows and political rallies, say that offers have fallen in the last five years. Many of them, who rely solely on performing as a bike that looks for their livelihood, are under considerable stress.

Restrictive order

Former CM and DMK leader M. JN Jamaluddin, who looks Karunanidhi, says that until 2005, artists had regular bookings during temple festivals and political rallies. “People used to treat us like real political leaders. However, business has been sluggish since 2005.

Artists say they often have “obscene or obscene” dance and song shows (aadal-pala) During temple festivals.

“However, it is completely unfair for all artists to refuse permission. There is no vulgarity or vulgarity in the performance of lookless artists. In fact, Madurai has been a prominent place that nurtured artists with such looks in the past.

The COVID-19 epidemic also affected artists who had no source of income during the epidemic-induced lockdown, they say. Hema, former CM and AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa was on the lookout. “Even though the voting dates have been announced, we have not received any proposal yet,” he said.

Due to instability in earning income, many artists have resorted to other jobs to support their families, m. Says Bhuvan, who heads the women’s branch of the Artist Association. For example, b. Yakub, who dresses like actor and politician Kamal Haasan, sells tender coconuts to support his four children.

Member of the Association of Artists m. Mustafa says that there are about two lakh stage performers across the state, who are an important part of the vote bank. He said, ‘Political parties use us before the election. Therefore, the party that comes to power should also take steps to revive the livelihood of the artists.

Sevavalai, an artist, says, “Although vocation is not highly remunerative, we continue to perform because of passion as an art.”