- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- Mano, S. N. Surendar
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Deva
- Movie release year
- 1995
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Apr 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Innoru Gandhi from the movie Deva (1995) is a fiery revolutionary song that calls for an assertive, armed leader—a paradoxically weaponized Gandhi—to lead a second freedom struggle against social inequality and political corruption. The song highlights how non-violence, truth, and peace failed to uplift rural villages, where poor people continue to suffer like bonded laborers under power-hungry oppressors. The lyrics call upon the oppressed masses to abandon their passive, fear-stricken existence and rise up in revolution. By channeling their collective rage and taking up arms, the song argues that social equality can be achieved and corrupt forces can be overthrown to establish true justice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox / Oxymoron
“Innoru gandhi / Piranthida vendum bhoomiyilae / Kaiyil aayutham yaenthi”
Juxtaposes Mahatma Gandhi, the global symbol of non-violence (Ahimsa), with taking up arms (Kaiyil aayutham yaenthi), creating a striking paradoxical call for a militant leader.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Adangi odungi aamai pol / Bayanthu nadungi oomaipol”
Compares the passive, suppressed state of the impoverished villagers to turtles withdrawn in shells (aamai pol) and frightened mute people (oomaipol).
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Sudhanthira sooriyan vanthu / Engal giramaththai thottathu illai”
Metaphorically represents freedom as a rising sun (Sudhanthira sooriyan) that fails to reach or illuminate marginalized rural villages.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“bhoomiyilae / oorinilae / naattinilae / veettinilae”
Uses repeating rhythmic suffix endings like '-ilae' (bhoomiyilae, oorinilae, naattinilae, veettinilae) across lines to build a chanting, chorus-like momentum.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Deva' (1995), directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and starring Vijay, features soundtrack compositions by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by veteran poet Pulamaipithan. The song's radical concept of an 'armed Gandhi' reflects the vigilante justice themes common in Chandrasekhar's directorial works of the 1990s.
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