Then came the big twist. A few days later, many of the same critics (yes, including Kalpetta Narayanan and J Devika) showed up at a pro-Aryadan Shoukath cultural event. Apparently, culture is bipartisan. There, the UDF camp pitched Shoukath not only as a candidate but also as a cultural contributor in his own right — citing his leadership of local self-governments and promotion of art in the region.

So, Nilambur voters are now spectators in a full-fledged “war of words” between rival cultural factions. But on the ground, things are a bit more basic. As local filmmaker and voter Shamal Sulaiman bluntly put it: “The voters in Nilambur are ordinary people.” 

Even though the people of Nilambur endorse the art and cultural spectrum, that would be the least priority for the people here, at this time, he says. “I feel that issues like tribal protest, the need for good road and hospital services and many other things are infront of us and that’s what the people of Nilambur weigh when going to the polling booths and the candidates offering that will win. Art and entertainment only comes next,” reckons Sulaiman, who is also a voter in the constituency.

PuKaSa’s state secretary from Malappuram Basheer Chungathara, however, points out that the LDF’s literary fest pulled a crowd, and beyond political alliances. “There are a lot of cultural activists in the region, even though not in the mainstream. These people are happy that Nilambur is being a space for such discussions and makes way for a new change through the LDF candidate,” explains Chungathara.

The voters head to the booths on Thursday. Intellectuals may have already cast their vote — on Facebook. But Nilambur’s actual electorate might just be more interested in a good bus service than a good book.

The final verdict? Out on June 23. Until then, the intellectuals can keep debating — preferably over a cup of chai and not a microphone.