Shamik Mishra and Deepak Aryal
Focusing on the referendum of 1979-80, one of the most important political events during the Panchayat era, the paper will explore the use of political ephemera (posters & pamphlets) during the period in Palpa district. Based on the study of the production, distribution, and consumption mechanism of such ephemera, this work will trace how different and effective this form of communication was as compared to the mainstream media, particularly in a place like Palpa where the presence of print media was rather weak. Further, the research will delve into how the process of writing, editing, printing, and consumption occurred under the domineering presence of the state-controlled radio and newspapers as well as the backdrop of the laws of the time. The resources at the Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, local offices of the political parties, and in personal collections, as well as in-depth interviews of key individuals involved in such form of campaigning will form the basis of this work.