Are you angry with Sasikala being all set to take over as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu? Many of us typed out angry posts on social media, but rapper-activist Sofia Ashraf and her crew just took one bold, badass step ahead.
Armed with a guitar, a phone camera beaming live on Facebook, and their lyrics of dissent, Ashraf and her crew of four, including her bandmate Suren Vikash U, stepped out and went to Poes Garden late on Sunday night and sang angrily, expressing their dissent against what has been happening in the state recently.
Suren Vikash plays the guitar and sings the lead, drawing attention to the corruption and loot of politicians in the state, the thrust of the song is to say ‘we did not vote for you’, and that those who were not elected cannot represent the people of the state.
"The main lyrics in the song is 'those who were not elected need not become ministers'. And that's the sentiment most Tamilians have now. Democracy as we know is dead. How can someone not elected by people become Chief Minister? It may be all legal, but it isn't right. People can't suddenly pop up and say we will be the CM," Sofia said to The News Minute.
Just as they end their performance, a policeman steps in to stop them from beaming live, but they tell him that they are singing and doing nothing illegal. Sofia later posted on Facebook that they were safe.
Watch the video here:
"It seemed like nothing was in our control. Felt angry and upset," Ashraf added.
"We were scared, but determined. Some policemen stopped us. They asked us how we could go there in the night. They were doing their job, but we were not doing anything illegal, so they could not stop us," she told TNM.
Here are the full lyrics to the song, as given by Ashraf.
Tamizh:
Kaasu Adikura
Lanjam Pudungura
Paavi
Katchi Maarudhu
Ooru Innum Naarudhu
Yemaali
Therdhal Mudindhidhu
Virakthi Koodudhu
Komaali
Poi Vaaku Urudhigal
Ilavasa Thittangal
Arasiyalvaadhi
Vun Kitte Udhavi Ketenna
Unnoda Padhavi Ketenna
Chorus:
Ooru Poora Vun Vetti Eetu
Ooru Pakkam Konjam Yetti Paaru
Vottu-illaama Verum Vetti Pechu
Poi Vaaku Verum Kaathu (2)
Hey Inga Yaarum Seri Ille
Yen Vottu Vonnakille
English:
Looters
Bribe monger
Traitor
Switching sides
The city still stinks
Cheats
The elections are done
The desperation rises
Clowns
False promises
Freebies
Politicians
Did I ask you for aid?
Did I ask you for your seat?
The city is filled with your cut outs
Step into the hood for once
Weak prattle for the sake of votes
Lies. Just gas.
Hey. Nobody’s good enough here.
My vote wasn’t for you.
Rap:
Nee theruvu ore varra pore
Kalavaram parappure
Vun arakiyal arangore
Ippo yenna thara pore?
Vote-illaama therndhu edutha
Amaichar ellaam theva ille
Vida vida valarum
Vara vara puriyum
Pada pada vedikkum
Thadai ida varuvom
English:
You come and go by my streets
Spreading riots
Your Manifesto is half baked
What are you gonna offer now?
Ministers who have been elected
Without elections are not welcome.
As you let things be, it’ll grow…
As it proceeds, you’ll understand…
It will spark and obliterate …
We will put an end to this
*blows conch*
Democracy is dead!