Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a cha… Read Full Bio ↴Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a charismatic Indonesian singer/songwriter and remembered as Indonesia's the most dangerous singer on the '80s and '90s.

He was popular for his gritty-witty ballads accentuated on life of Indonesia's marginalized groups or political satire on the troubled Indonesian social/political scene under Soeharto. His socially aware hit-songs including: "Oemar Bakri" tells about teacher, "Lonteku" is a love story between a criminal and a prostitute, and "Wakil Rakyat" is about members of parliament.

After Reformasi movement on 1997 which leads to democratisation he was a kind of losing the edge for political satire, but his mature musical experience keeps him on Indonesian pop chart with inward-looking songs and songs about personal relationships.

Kantata Takwa
Iwan Fals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Malam khusuk menelan tahajjudku
Lidah halilintar menjilat batinku
Mentari dan cakrawala kenyataan hidup
Hanya padaMulah kekuasaan kekal

Ingatlah Allah yang menciptakan
Allah tempatku berpegang dan bertawakal
Allah maha tinggi dan maha esa

Allah maha lembut

Lindungilah dari ganas dan serakah
Lindungilah aku dari setan kehidupan
Berikan mentariMu sinar takwa
Ya ampunilah dosa

Gerhana matahari kuasaMu
Bumi langit manusia ciptaanMu

Hari kiamat ada di tanganMu
Aku bersujud

Overall Meaning

The song "Kantata Takwa" by Iwan Fals is a heartfelt tribute to a deep spiritual connection with God. The opening lines speak to the power of prayer and contemplation, as the singer describes a night of deep devotion and reflection, symbolized by the recitation of tahajjud, a voluntary prayer performed by Muslims during the night. The use of the metaphor of lightning strikes symbolizes the overwhelming, divine understanding that comes with this kind of prayer.

The song goes on to emphasize the ultimate power and sovereignty of God in all aspects of life, from the beauty of the natural world to the inevitability of death and the afterlife. The singer urges listeners to stay close to God and seek protection from the destructive forces of greed and temptation. This message is conveyed through vivid imagery, such as the power of a solar eclipse or the humbling knowledge of the Day of Judgment.

Ultimately, "Kantata Takwa" is a beautiful expression of the need for spiritual connection and guidance in the face of the challenges of life. The lyrics serve as a reminder to listeners of the power, mercy, and infinite wisdom of God.

Line by Line Meaning

Malam khusuk menelan tahajjudku
The night avidly engulfs my midnight prayers

Lidah halilintar menjilat batinku
My inner self is lapped by a fiery tongue of passion

Mentari dan cakrawala kenyataan hidup
The sun and life's horizons are reality

Hanya padaMulah kekuasaan kekal
The only eternal authority is You

Ingatlah Allah yang menciptakan
Remember Allah, the Creator

Allah tempatku berpegang dan bertawakal
Allah is my only support and reliance

Allah maha tinggi dan maha esa
Allah is exalted and unique

Allah maha lembut
Allah is gentle

Lindungilah dari ganas dan serakah
Protect me from cruelty and greed

Lindungilah aku dari setan kehidupan
Guard me against life's temptations

Berikan mentariMu sinar takwa
Grant me the radiance of Your piety