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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gandhi Rap

From Gandhi Talks · 2026

Lyricist
K J Ayyanar
Singers
Anbugurudass, K J Ayyanar
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Gandhi Talks2026

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pakkala unna south africa boatulaWe didn't see you on the South Africa boat,
Pakkala unna barrister coatulaWe didn't see you in the barrister's coat,
Pakkala unna kadhar veshitiyila koodaWe didn't see you even in the khadi veshti,
Naanga paathadhilla unna pachaiyaana note-ulaWe've only ever seen you on the green currency note!
Chorus
Hare ram hareHare Ram Hare
Ram ram ramRam Ram Ram
Hare hare hare ramHare Hare Hare Ram
Hare ram ram ramHare Ram Ram Ram
Hare hare hareHare Hare Hare
Ram hare ramRam Hare Ram
Ram ram hareRam Ram Hare
Hare hare ramHare Hare Ram
Hey ramHey Ram
Hey ram….Hey Ram…
Male
Engalukku solla venaYou don't need to explain to us,
Artham enna eswar allaahWhat the true meaning of Ishwar and Allah is;
Ellar manadhaiyum aadhikkam seiyumThe ones dominating everyone's minds now,
Pandit mullahAre the Pandit and the Mullah!
Marandhu vitta namadhu vazhi paadhaiThe path and values we forgot,
Ellaam gyaaniEveryone acts like a wise sage,
Mattravarin valiyai unaravillai yaarumYet nobody truly feels the pain of others.
Chorus
Hare ram hareHare Ram Hare
Ram ram ramRam Ram Ram
Hare hare hare ramHare Hare Hare Ram
Hare ram ram ramHare Ram Ram Ram
Hare hare hareHare Hare Hare
Ram hare ramRam Hare Ram
Ram ram hareRam Ram Hare
Hare hare ramHare Hare Ram
Hey ramHey Ram
Hey ram….Hey Ram…
Male
Naalum eppoludhum koottamEvery single day, there is always a huge crowd,
Tascu markulaStanding outside the TASMAC liquor outlets;
Dhoosiyaala jam-uh aachuClogged and jammed completely with dust,
Sakkara wheel- uh laIs the spinning wheel of your Charkha!
Sathiyavarthai irudhi sadangilWords of truth are now used,
Use-uh aagudhuOnly during the final funeral rites;
Palagina manavargal agimsai vaadhiThe students who learned here claim to be non-violent protestors!
Chorus
Hare ram hareHare Ram Hare
Ram ram ramRam Ram Ram
Hare hare hare ramHare Hare Hare Ram
Hare ram ram ramHare Ram Ram Ram
Hare hare hareHare Hare Hare
Ram hare ramRam Hare Ram
Ram ram hareRam Ram Hare
Hare hare ramHare Hare Ram
Hey ramHey Ram
Hey ram….Hey Ram…
Male
Arasaangathu sevuthil unnaOn the government office wall,
Thonga vida poraanThey will hang your framed portrait;
Table-ukku keezha koodaAnd even underneath the table,
Unna kekka poraanThey are going to ask for you (money with your face)!
Kurudan oomai sevuduBlind, mute, and deaf,
Unna adaiyaalam kattaTo symbolize your three monkeys;
Unna thedi aadhavanumEven the sun searching for you,
Unna namba poraanIs going to place its trust in you.
Chorus
Hare ram hareHare Ram Hare
Ram ram ramRam Ram Ram
Hare hare hare ramHare Hare Hare Ram
Hare ram ram ramHare Ram Ram Ram
Hare hare hareHare Hare Hare
Ram hare ramRam Hare Ram
Ram ram hareRam Ram Hare
Hare hare ramHare Hare Ram
Hey ramHey Ram
Hey ram….Hey Ram…
Male
Unnaviradha porattamStaging a hunger strike protest,
Seidhittu …..yaeraJust to climb the ladder of power;
Sathyagraham ippo athigaarathinSatyagraha has now become the authority's,
Valiya maaraConvenient tool to suit their motives;
Amaidhi kakka venumPeace must be maintained,
Konjam purinji irungaTry to understand this a little bit;
Pesunakka unna thirumbhiIf you dare to speak up,
Poga solvangaThey will tell you to turn back and leave!
Chorus
Hare ram hareHare Ram Hare
Ram ram ramRam Ram Ram
Hare hare hare ramHare Hare Hare Ram
Hare ram ram ramHare Ram Ram Ram
Hare hare hareHare Hare Hare
Ram hare ramRam Hare Ram
Ram ram hareRam Ram Hare
Hare hare ramHare Hare Ram
Hey ramHey Ram
Hey ram….Hey Ram…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Gandhi Talks' serves as a biting socio-political satire on how Mahatma Gandhi's core philosophies—such as Ahimsa (non-violence), Satyagraha, communal unity, and self-reliance—have been distorted or forgotten in modern India. The lyrics highlight the stark contrast between Gandhi's historical legacy as a freedom fighter and his current reduction to merely a face printed on paper currency used for political exploitation and illegal bribery under government tables.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony / Satire

Table-ukku keezha kooda / Unna kekka poraan

Highlights the dark irony of how Gandhi, the symbol of absolute honesty and truth, has his image used on cash notes demanded as illegal bribes under tables.

Metaphor

Dhoosiyaala jam-uh aachu / Sakkara wheel-uh la

The dust-choked spinning wheel (Charkha) metaphorically represents the decline and stagnation of Gandhi's ideals of self-reliance and moral simplicity in present times.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Pakkala unna south africa boatula / Pakkala unna barrister coatula

The second consonant sound 'kk' matches across consecutive lines, creating traditional Tamil rhythmic rhyming.

Allusion

Kurudan oomai sevudu / Unna adaiyaalam katta

Alludes directly to Gandhi's famous three wise monkeys representing 'see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Gandhi Talks' is a silent dark comedy film starring Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy, and Aditi Rao Hydari. Because the film features no spoken dialogue, A. R. Rahman's musical score and lyrics play a critical narrative role in communicating the storyline, character motivations, and social commentary.

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