Sakthi Kodu
From Baba · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Karthik
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Baba2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nam nadai kandu ahangaaram | Seeing our majestic walk, arrogance |
| Thoolaagha vendum | Must be shattered into dust |
| Nam padai kandu thisaiyellam | Seeing our force, all directions |
| Bayanthoda vendum | Must run away in fear |
| Male | |
| {Sakthi kodu | {Give me power |
| Chorus :Sakthi kodu | Chorus: Give me power |
| Sakthi kodu | Give me power |
| Sakthi kodu} (2) | Give me power} (2) |
| Male | |
| Iraivaaaa……iraivaaa.. | Oh God... Oh God.. |
| Male | |
| {Thaaiyum neeyae | {You are the mother |
| Thanthaiyum neeyae | You are the father |
| Uyirum neeyae | You are the life |
| Unmaiyum neeyae} (2) | You are the truth} (2) |
| Male | |
| Thoonilum iruppaan | He resides in a pillar |
| Thurumbilum iruppaan | He resides in a speck of dust |
| Chorus | |
| Kodumai azhithu vida | To destroy cruelty |
| Kolghai jeyithu vida | To make principles prevail |
| Sakthi kodu | Give me power |
| Sakthi kodu | Give me power |
| Male | |
| Nam nadai kandu ahangaaram | Seeing our majestic walk, arrogance |
| Thoolaagha vendum | Must be shattered into dust |
| Nam padai kandu thisaiyellam | Seeing our force, all directions |
| Bayanthoda vendum | Must run away in fear |
| Sakthi kodu | Give me power |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Vellathil veezhnthavarai | Those who fell into the flood |
| Karaiyetra sakthi kodu | Give me power to bring them ashore |
| Pallathil kidappavarai | Those lying in the ditch |
| Medu yetra sakthi kodu | Give me power to elevate them |
| Male | |
| Theemaikum kodumaikum | To evil and cruelty |
| Thee veika sakthi kodu | Give me power to set fire |
| Varumaiku piranthavarai | Those born into poverty |
| Vaazhvikka sakthi kodu | Give me power to grant them a livelihood |
| Male | |
| Erimalaigal en kaalil | Volcanoes beneath my feet |
| Thoolaga sakthi kodu | Give me power to turn them to dust |
| Oru vaarthai sonnaalae | If I utter just one word |
| Oor maara sakthi kodu | Give me power to transform the town |
| Male | |
| Thaaiyum neeyae | You are the mother |
| Thanthaiyum neeyae | You are the father |
| Uyirum neeyae | You are the life |
| Unmaiyum neeyae | You are the truth |
| Iraivaaaa……iraivaaaa.. | Oh God... Oh God.. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Mudivedutha pinnaal | After taking a decision |
| Naan thadam maara maaten | I will not stray from my path |
| Mun veitha kaalai | The foot I put forward |
| Naan pin veika maaten | I will not step back |
| Male | |
| Enai nambi vandhavarai | Those who came trusting me |
| Yemaatra maaten | I will not deceive |
| Verum yeniyaai naanirunthu | Remaining as a mere ladder |
| Yemaara maaten | I will not be fooled |
| Male | |
| Uppitta thamizh mannai | The Tamil land that fed me |
| Naan marakka maaten | I will not forget |
| Uppitta thamizh mannai | The Tamil land that fed me |
| Naan marakka maaten | I will not forget |
| Naan uyir vaazhnthaal ingaethaan | If I live, it will be right here |
| Oodivida maaten | I will not run away |
| Male | |
| Katchigalai padhavigalai | Political parties and offices |
| Naan virumba maaten | I will not desire |
| Kaalathin kattalayai | The command of time |
| Naan marukka maaten | I will not refuse |
| Male | |
| Iraivaaaaa….iraivaaa.. | Oh God... Oh God.. |
| Male | |
| {Thaaiyum neeyae | {You are the mother |
| Thanthaiyum neeyae | You are the father |
| Uyirum neeyae | You are the life |
| Unmaiyum neeyae} (2) | You are the truth} (2) |
| Male | |
| Thoonilum iruppaan | He resides in a pillar |
| Thurumbilum iruppaan | He resides in a speck of dust |
| Chorus | |
| Kodumai azhithu vida | To destroy cruelty |
| Kolghai jeyithu vida | To make principles prevail |
| Sakthi kodu | Give me power |
| Sakthi kodu | Give me power |
நம் நடை
கண்டு அஹங்காரம்
தூளாக வேண்டும்
நம் படை கண்டு
திசையெல்லாம்
பயந்தோட வேண்டும்
Seeing our majestic walk, arrogance
Must be shattered into dust
Seeing our force, all directions
Must run away in fear
{ சக்தி கொடு
குழு :
சக்தி கொடு
சக்தி கொடு சக்தி
கொடு } (2)
{Give me power
Chorus: Give me power
Give me power
Give me power} (2)
இறைவா
இறைவா
Oh God... Oh God..
{ தாயும் நீயே
தந்தையும் நீயே
உயிரும் நீயே
உண்மையும் நீயே } (2)
{You are the mother
You are the father
You are the life
You are the truth} (2)
தூணிலும்
இருப்பான் துரும்பிலும்
இருப்பான்
He resides in a pillar
He resides in a speck of dust
கொடுமை
அழித்து விட
கொள்கை ஜெயித்து
விட சக்தி கொடு
சக்தி கொடு
To destroy cruelty
To make principles prevail
Give me power
Give me power
நம் நடை
கண்டு அஹங்காரம்
தூளாக வேண்டும்
நம் படை கண்டு
திசையெல்லாம்
பயந்தோட வேண்டும்
சக்தி கொடு
Seeing our majestic walk, arrogance
Must be shattered into dust
Seeing our force, all directions
Must run away in fear
Give me power
.......................
...
வெள்ளத்தில்
வீழ்ந்தவரை கரையேற்ற
சக்தி கொடு பள்ளத்தில்
கிடப்பவரை மேடேற்ற
சக்தி கொடு
Those who fell into the flood
Give me power to bring them ashore
Those lying in the ditch
Give me power to elevate them
தீமைக்கும்
கொடுமைக்கும் தீ
வெய்க்க சக்தி கொடு
வறுமைக்கு பிறந்தவரை
வாழ்விக்க சக்தி கொடு
To evil and cruelty
Give me power to set fire
Those born into poverty
Give me power to grant them a livelihood
எரிமலைகள்
என் காலில் தூளாக
சக்தி கொடு ஒரு
வார்த்தை சொன்னாலே
ஊர் மாற சக்தி கொடு
Volcanoes beneath my feet
Give me power to turn them to dust
If I utter just one word
Give me power to transform the town
தாயும் நீயே
தந்தையும் நீயே
உயிரும் நீயே
உண்மையும் நீயே
இறைவா இறைவா
You are the mother
You are the father
You are the life
You are the truth
Oh God... Oh God..
.....................
...
முடிவெடுத்த
பின்னால் நான் தடம்
மாற மாட்டேன் முன்
வைத்த காலை நான்
பின் வைக்க மாட்டேன்
After taking a decision
I will not stray from my path
The foot I put forward
I will not step back
என்னை நம்பி
வந்தவரை ஏமாற்ற
மாட்டேன் வெறும்
ஏணியாய் நான் இருந்து
ஏமாற மாட்டேன்
Those who came trusting me
I will not deceive
Remaining as a mere ladder
I will not be fooled
உப்பிட்ட தமிழ்
மண்ணை நான் மறக்க
மாட்டேன் உப்பிட்ட தமிழ்
மண்ணை நான் மறக்க
மாட்டேன் நான் உயிர்
வாழ்ந்தால் இங்கே தான்
ஓடிவிட மாட்டேன்
The Tamil land that fed me
I will not forget
The Tamil land that fed me
I will not forget
If I live, it will be right here
I will not run away
கட்சிகளை
பதவிகளை நான்
விரும்ப மாட்டேன்
காலத்தின் கட்டளையை
நான் மறுக்க மாட்டேன்
Political parties and offices
I will not desire
The command of time
I will not refuse
இறைவா இறைவா
Oh God... Oh God..
{ தாயும் நீயே
தந்தையும் நீயே
உயிரும் நீயே
உண்மையும் நீயே } (2)
{You are the mother
You are the father
You are the life
You are the truth} (2)
தூணிலும்
இருப்பான் துரும்பிலும்
இருப்பான்
He resides in a pillar
He resides in a speck of dust
கொடுமை
அழித்து விட
கொள்கை ஜெயித்து
விட சக்தி கொடு
சக்தி கொடு
To destroy cruelty
To make principles prevail
Give me power
Give me power
Nam nadai kandu ahangaaram
Seeing our majestic walk, arrogance
Thoolaagha vendum
Must be shattered into dust
Nam padai kandu thisaiyellam
Seeing our force, all directions
Bayanthoda vendum
Must run away in fear
{Sakthi kodu
{Give me power
Chorus :Sakthi kodu
Chorus: Give me power
Sakthi kodu
Give me power
Sakthi kodu} (2)
Give me power} (2)
Iraivaaaa……iraivaaa..
Oh God... Oh God..
{Thaaiyum neeyae
{You are the mother
Thanthaiyum neeyae
You are the father
Uyirum neeyae
You are the life
Unmaiyum neeyae} (2)
You are the truth} (2)
Thoonilum iruppaan
He resides in a pillar
Thurumbilum iruppaan
He resides in a speck of dust
Kodumai azhithu vida
To destroy cruelty
Kolghai jeyithu vida
To make principles prevail
Sakthi kodu
Give me power
Sakthi kodu
Give me power
Nam nadai kandu ahangaaram
Seeing our majestic walk, arrogance
Thoolaagha vendum
Must be shattered into dust
Nam padai kandu thisaiyellam
Seeing our force, all directions
Bayanthoda vendum
Must run away in fear
Sakthi kodu
Give me power
………………………………….
...
Vellathil veezhnthavarai
Those who fell into the flood
Karaiyetra sakthi kodu
Give me power to bring them ashore
Pallathil kidappavarai
Those lying in the ditch
Medu yetra sakthi kodu
Give me power to elevate them
Theemaikum kodumaikum
To evil and cruelty
Thee veika sakthi kodu
Give me power to set fire
Varumaiku piranthavarai
Those born into poverty
Vaazhvikka sakthi kodu
Give me power to grant them a livelihood
Erimalaigal en kaalil
Volcanoes beneath my feet
Thoolaga sakthi kodu
Give me power to turn them to dust
Oru vaarthai sonnaalae
If I utter just one word
Oor maara sakthi kodu
Give me power to transform the town
Thaaiyum neeyae
You are the mother
Thanthaiyum neeyae
You are the father
Uyirum neeyae
You are the life
Unmaiyum neeyae
You are the truth
Iraivaaaa……iraivaaaa..
Oh God... Oh God..
………………………………
...
Mudivedutha pinnaal
After taking a decision
Naan thadam maara maaten
I will not stray from my path
Mun veitha kaalai
The foot I put forward
Naan pin veika maaten
I will not step back
Enai nambi vandhavarai
Those who came trusting me
Yemaatra maaten
I will not deceive
Verum yeniyaai naanirunthu
Remaining as a mere ladder
Yemaara maaten
I will not be fooled
Uppitta thamizh mannai
The Tamil land that fed me
Naan marakka maaten
I will not forget
Uppitta thamizh mannai
The Tamil land that fed me
Naan marakka maaten
I will not forget
Naan uyir vaazhnthaal ingaethaan
If I live, it will be right here
Oodivida maaten
I will not run away
Katchigalai padhavigalai
Political parties and offices
Naan virumba maaten
I will not desire
Kaalathin kattalayai
The command of time
Naan marukka maaten
I will not refuse
Iraivaaaaa….iraivaaa..
Oh God... Oh God..
{Thaaiyum neeyae
{You are the mother
Thanthaiyum neeyae
You are the father
Uyirum neeyae
You are the life
Unmaiyum neeyae} (2)
You are the truth} (2)
Thoonilum iruppaan
He resides in a pillar
Thurumbilum iruppaan
He resides in a speck of dust
Kodumai azhithu vida
To destroy cruelty
Kolghai jeyithu vida
To make principles prevail
Sakthi kodu
Give me power
Sakthi kodu
Give me power
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Sakthi Kodu' is an energetic anthem from the 2002 film 'Baba', combining intense spiritual devotion with personal and social resolve. The speaker prays to the Supreme Divine—addressed as mother, father, life, and ultimate truth—seeking divine power ('Sakthi') to overcome arrogance, help the impoverished, fight evil, and uplift society. In the second half, the song transitions into a bold pledge of integrity and duty. The protagonist vows never to back down from a commitment, never to deceive those who trust him, and to serve his motherland without hungering for political posts or power, surrendering ultimately to the call of destiny.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaiybu (End Rhyme)
“Thaaiyum neeyae / Thanthaiyum neeyae / Uyirum neeyae / Unmaiyum neeyae”
Repetition of ending rhyming suffixes '-um neeyae' creates a rhythmic devotional chant.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Thoonilum iruppaan / Thurumbilum iruppaan”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' creates internal poetic cadence.
Mythological Allusion
“Thoonilum iruppaan / Thurumbilum iruppaan”
References the Narasimha myth from Hindu tradition, where the Divine exists everywhere, from a pillar ('Thoon') to a speck of dust ('Thurumbu').
Hyperbole & Metaphor
“Erimalaigal en kaalil / Thoolaga sakthi kodu”
Crushing volcanoes into dust underfoot serves as a dramatic poetic metaphor for surmounting monumental obstacles through divine strength.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sakthi Kodu' was composed by A.R. Rahman and sung by Karthik and A.R. Rahman for Rajinikanth's self-written film 'Baba' (2002). The lyrics by Vairamuthu directly mirrored Rajinikanth's real-life political stance at the time, particularly lines declaring indifference toward political parties and official positions.
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