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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Power

From Jai Bhim · 2021

Lyricist
Arivu
Singer
Arivu
Music director
Sean Roldan
Details
Jai Bhim2021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Kaiyila edu poweraTake power into your hands
Thuninju edu poweraCourageously take power
Vazhi edhum ini illaThere is no other way now
Adha thavaraExcept for that
Chorus
Meetu edu poweraReclaim power
Kaettu edu poweraDemand and get power
Vazhi adhu thaanThat is the only way
Nammoda thala nimiraFor us to hold our heads high
Chorus
Tathagata tathagata tathagataTathagata Tathagata Tathagata
Male :Thirutham kondu vaaMale: Bring about reform
Chorus :Tathagata tathagata tathagataChorus: Tathagata Tathagata Tathagata
Male :Arathai yendhi vaa…Male: Uphold righteousness...
Male
Samarasam illai idhuThis is not a compromise
Samar sari nigaragaA battle as equals
Thuyaram ini yedhuWhat sorrow can there be now?
Thuninthu vaaStep forward courageously
Gadhaa gadhaaForward, forward
Gadhaa gadhaaForward, forward
Male
Olirattum ini eliyavarLet the eyes of the poor shine now
Vizhi mudivoduWith determination
Thodanga vazhi yedhuWhat is the way to begin?
Muzhangu vaaRoar loudly
Gadhaa gadhaaForward, forward
Gadhaa gadhaaForward, forward
Male
Poraadithaan thaanOnly through struggle
Vaanganum daMust we win, man
Moochaiyum thaanEven our very breath
Seraama thaan naam irundhaIf we remain divided without uniting
Maatram undaWill there be any change?
Chorus
Kaiyila edu poweraTake power into your hands
Thuninju edu poweraCourageously take power
Vazhi edhum ini illaThere is no other way now
Adha thavaraExcept for that
Chorus
Meetu edu poweraReclaim power
Kaettu edu poweraDemand and get power
Vazhi adhu thaanThat is the only way
Nammoda thala nimiraFor us to hold our heads high
Male
Eliyavar kural enavaeAs the voice of the downtrodden
Chorus :Ha ho ho ooChorus: Ha ho ho oo
Male :Muzhangidu idi enavaeMale: Roar like thunder
Suyanalam ozhinthidavaeSo that selfishness vanishes
Chorus :Ha ho ho ooChorus: Ha ho ho oo
Male :Samam yena uyarnthidavaeMale: To rise as equals
Male
Yaarukum pothu thaan needhi..aan..Justice is common to everyone...
Ooruku unarthidu neeMake the world realize this
Chorus :Ha ho ho ooChorus: Ha ho ho oo
Male :Perukku vaazhkaya ottamaMale: Instead of merely passing through life
Nerukku ner ezhu neeStand up face to face
Chorus :Ha ho ho ooChorus: Ha ho ho oo
Chorus
Kaettaa thaan kidaikum naaYou get it only if you ask, brother
Adha kedaikkura varaikkum kaettukkadaKeep asking until you get it
Kaathaa nee parakkalaamYou can fly like the wind
Unna adaikkira siraiya udachukadaaBreak the prison that confines you
Male
Samarasam illai idhuThis is not a compromise
Samar sari nigaragaA battle as equals
Thuyaram ini yedhuWhat sorrow can there be now?
Thuninthu vaaStep forward courageously
Male
Olirattum ini eliyavarLet the eyes of the poor shine now
Vizhi mudivoduWith determination
Thodanga vazhi yedhuWhat is the way to begin?
Muzhangu vaaRoar loudly
Male
……....
Male
Utharavellam podathaanTo issue orders to me
Nee enakku yaaruWho are you to me?
Nikkuravan thaanHe is the one standing
Eppodhum unmaiku pakathilaeAlways on the side of truth
Aadugal illaWe are not goats
Paakadha veenaga miratti thaanDon't try to intimidate us in vain
Aayudham illaThere is no weapon
Anbaala nadakkum puratchi thaanThis is a revolution driven by love
Chorus
Kaiyila edu poweraTake power into your hands
Thuninju edu poweraCourageously take power
Vazhi edhum ini illaThere is no other way now
Adha thavaraExcept for that
Chorus
Tathagata tathagata tathagataTathagata Tathagata Tathagata
Male :Thirutham kondu vaaMale: Bring about reform
Chorus :Tathagata tathagata tathagataChorus: Tathagata Tathagata Tathagata
Male :Arathai yendhi vaaMale: Uphold righteousness
Chorus
Kaiyila edu powera….Take power into your hands...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The 'Power Song' from Jai Bhim is a fiery socio-political anthem composed by Sean Roldan, written and performed by Arivu. The song serves as an empowering rally cry for marginalized communities to unite, overcome systemic oppression, and reclaim their constitutional power and human dignity. Invoking the spirit of Tathagata (Buddha) and Ambedkarite philosophy, it asserts that justice is an inherent right for everyone and must be actively demanded rather than passively awaited. The lyrics highlight that true revolution is non-violent, driven by love, truth, and self-respect, urging individuals to shatter metaphorical prisons of oppression and stand tall as equals.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Religious/Historical Allusion

Tathagata tathagata tathagata

The term 'Tathagata' directly invokes Buddha, symbolizing enlightenment, equality, and righteousness, which forms a core ideological pillar of Ambedkarite anti-caste movements.

Simile / Metaphor

Muzhangidu idi enavae

Comparing the vocal demand for justice to thunder ('Idi'), urging the voiceless to speak up with forceful impact.

Metaphor

Unna adaikkira siraiya udachukadaa

Describes social oppression and systemic discrimination as a prison ('sirai') that must be broken down to gain freedom.

Refrain / Eybhai (Rhyme)

Kaiyila edu powera

Repetition of the line ending in 'powera' creates a rhythmic, motivational anchor throughout the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song heavily incorporates Buddhist and Ambedkarite motifs, particularly the chant 'Tathagata' (a title of the Buddha meaning 'One who has thus come/gone'). Singer-lyricist Arivu and composer Sean Roldan crafted this track to highlight the constitutional and moral battle for marginalized rights showcased in the film 'Jai Bhim'.

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