Tamil Nadu election 2026: From walls to screens — a leap for political campaigning

Sometimes, civic sense can get in the way of culture. With serious clampdowns on posters, festoons, banners, wall paintings and advertisements by the Election Commission and civic bodies, it does indeed feel like the culture of elections itself in Tamil Nadu has changed, dramatically. From walls, they have migrated to feeds.

Posters and wall paintings were iconic in elections in the past in Tamil Nadu. They were more than mere advertisements for the party or candidates — they evolved form as a multitude of purposes rolled in one, starting with the very basic marking of physical territory, but also equally importantly, an identity system, candidate branding and propaganda.