Ela Mandela
From Mandela · 2021
- Lyricist
- Arivu
- Singers
- Anthony Daasan, Arivu, Musa Mashiane
- Music director
- Bharath Sankar
- Details
- Mandela2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Bum bum bum bum….. | Bum bum bum bum... |
| Male | |
| Ela.. | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Ela… | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Male | |
| Ela.. | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Ela… | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Male | |
| Annadang kaachikku | For a penniless, humble soul |
| Ponnaada thookkittu | Carrying a golden honorific shawl |
| Ambani vandhachu le… | An Ambani-like wealthy politician has arrived... |
| Vambana pottikku unnoda vote-ukku | For a fierce contest, for your single vote |
| Demand-u undaachu le… | High demand has been created... |
| Male | |
| Cutting-u shaving-u | Haircuts and shaves |
| Kattaandharai ippo sitting-eh style-aachu le | Sitting on bare ground has now become a grand style... |
| Kappeesu meenukku leg piece-ah kaamichu | Showing a chicken leg piece to lure a tiny worthless fish |
| Ukkara vechachu le… | They have made him sit with high regard... |
| Aattatha vaalukku out-aana ball-ukku | For a wagging tail, for a ball that went out of bounds |
| Vote ID thandhachu le… | A voter ID card has been issued... |
| Male | |
| Ela.. | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Ela… | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Male | |
| Ela.. | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Ela… | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Male | |
| Vaanga Mr Mandela | Welcome, Mr. Mandela |
| Motta poda vandhela | You came to give haircuts and shaves |
| Oorukkulla oruthanum agapadala | Not a single person in town gave you respect earlier |
| Vellai mudikkaran | A man with white hair |
| Pullukattu thaadikaaran | A man with a bushy beard like a hay bale |
| Oravunnu sollikida oruthan illai | There was no one to even claim him as a relative |
| Ilichavaayana nethu nethu | A gullible fool until yesterday |
| Kulicha odanae soakku soakku | As soon as he took a bath, he looks smart and grand |
| Pozhappu vanguthu kaathu kaathu | Life is now enjoying the cool breeze |
| Kedaicha peru ippa mandela mandela | The name he gained now is Mandela, Mandela! |
| Male | |
| Savaram panna coolie-ah | Instead of daily wages for shaving hair |
| Oru savaram thangam poduya | Give him a sovereign of gold! |
| Chorus | |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Male | |
| Vivaram konjam kooruya | Tell us a few details |
| Ivan power-ah vandhu paaruya | Come and see his immense power |
| Un card-ah konjam kaamiya | Show us your voter card |
| Nee vote-u podura saamy-ah | Are you the revered deity who casts the winning vote? |
| Chorus | |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Chorus | |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Pappa bappa bappa | Pappa bappa bappa |
| Male | |
| Quarter-ah thaada | Give me a quarter bottle of liquor |
| Yokkiyan yaaruda | Who here is truly honest anyway? |
| Koottam thaana serum paaruda | Look, the crowd will gather on its own |
| Summa thandha vangi poduda | If it's given for free, just take it |
| Nee vaangum panamae | The money you take as a bribe |
| Ungappan kaasu da | Is actually your own father's tax money, man! |
| Male | |
| Annadang kaachikku | For a penniless, humble soul |
| Ponnaada thookkittu | Carrying a golden honorific shawl |
| Ambani vandhachu le… | An Ambani-like wealthy politician has arrived... |
| Vambana pottikku unnoda vote-ukku | For a fierce contest, for your single vote |
| Demand-u undaachu le… | High demand has been created... |
| Cutting-u shaving-u | Haircuts and shaves |
| Kattaandharai ippo | On the bare ground, now |
| Sitting-eh style-aachu le | Even sitting down has become a grand style... |
| Kappeesu meenukku | To a tiny worthless fish |
| Leg piece-ah kaamichu | Showing a chicken leg piece |
| Ukkara vechachu le… | They made him sit with high regard... |
| Aattatha vaalukku out-aana ball-ukku | For a wagging tail, for a ball that went out of bounds |
| Vote ID thandhachu le… | A voter ID card has been issued... |
| Male | |
| Ela.. | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Ela… | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Male | |
| Ela.. | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Ela… | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Male | |
| Ela.. | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
| Ela… | Hey... |
| Mandela ela… | Mandela, hey... |
பம் பம் பம் பம்.....
Bum bum bum bum...
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
அன்னடங்காட்சிக்கு
பொன்னாட தூக்கிட்டு
அம்பானி வந்தாச்சு லே...
வம்பான போட்டிக்கு உன்னோட வோட்டுக்கு
டிமாண்டு உண்டாச்சு லே...
For a penniless, humble soul
Carrying a golden honorific shawl
An Ambani-like wealthy politician has arrived...
For a fierce contest, for your single vote
High demand has been created...
கட்டிங்கு ஷேவிங்கு
கட்டாந்தரை இப்போ சிட்டிங்கு ஸ்டைலாச்சு லே
கப்பீசு மீனுக்கு லெக் பீச காமிச்சு
உக்காற வெச்சாசு லே..
ஆட்டாத வாளுக்கு அவுட்டான பாலுக்கு
வோட் ஐடி தந்தாச்சு லே...
Haircuts and shaves
Sitting on bare ground has now become a grand style...
Showing a chicken leg piece to lure a tiny worthless fish
They have made him sit with high regard...
For a wagging tail, for a ball that went out of bounds
A voter ID card has been issued...
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
வாங்க மிஸ்டர் மண்டேலா
மொட்ட போட வந்தேளா
ஊருக்குள்ள ஒருத்தனும் அகப்படல
வெள்ளை முடிக்காரன்
புல்லுக்கட்டு தாடிக்காரன்
ஒறவுன்னு சொல்லிகிட ஒருத்தன் இல்லை
இழிச்சவாயன நேத்து நேத்து
குளிச்ச ஒடனே சோக்கு சோக்கு
பொழப்பு வாங்குது காத்து காத்து
கெடைச்ச பேரு இப்ப மண்டேலா மண்டேலா
Welcome, Mr. Mandela
You came to give haircuts and shaves
Not a single person in town gave you respect earlier
A man with white hair
A man with a bushy beard like a hay bale
There was no one to even claim him as a relative
A gullible fool until yesterday
As soon as he took a bath, he looks smart and grand
Life is now enjoying the cool breeze
The name he gained now is Mandela, Mandela!
சவரம் பண்ண கூலிய
ஒரு சவரம் தங்கம் போடுயா
Instead of daily wages for shaving hair
Give him a sovereign of gold!
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
விவரம் கொஞ்சம் கூறுயா
இவன் பவர வந்து பாருயா
உன் கார்ட கொஞ்சம் காமியா
நீ வோட்டு போடுற சாமியா
Tell us a few details
Come and see his immense power
Show us your voter card
Are you the revered deity who casts the winning vote?
ஏ... தலை வந்தாச்சு லே
செலை செஞ்சாச்சு லே
கொடி நட்டாச்சு லே
வெடி பட்டாசு பட்டாசு
ஆரத்தி எடுங்க டா
ராசாவ பாராட்டி பாடுங்கடா
இந்த நாட்டோட மானத்த
காப்பாத்த வந்தாரு டா
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
பப்ப பப்ப பப்பா
Give me a quarter bottle of liquor
Who here is truly honest anyway?
Look, the crowd will gather on its own
If it's given for free, just take it
The money you take as a bribe
Is actually your own father's tax money, man!
க்வார்ட்டர தாடா
யோக்கியன் யாருடா
கூட்டம் தானா சேரும் பாருடா
சும்மா தந்தா வாங்கி போடுடா
நீ வாங்கும் பணமே
உங்கப்பன் காசு டா
For a penniless, humble soul
Carrying a golden honorific shawl
An Ambani-like wealthy politician has arrived...
For a fierce contest, for your single vote
High demand has been created...
Haircuts and shaves
On the bare ground, now
Even sitting down has become a grand style...
To a tiny worthless fish
Showing a chicken leg piece
They made him sit with high regard...
For a wagging tail, for a ball that went out of bounds
A voter ID card has been issued...
அன்னடங்காட்சிக்கு
பொன்னாட தூக்கிட்டு
அம்பானி வந்தாச்சு லே...
வம்பான போட்டிக்கு உன்னோட வோட்டுக்கு
டிமாண்டு உண்டாச்சு லே...
கட்டிங்கு ஷேவிங்கு
கட்டாந்தரை இப்போ சிட்டிங்கு ஸ்டைலாச்சு லே
கப்பீசு மீனுக்கு லெக் பீச காமிச்சு
உக்காற வெச்சாசு லே..
ஆட்டாத வாளுக்கு அவுட்டான பாலுக்கு
வோட் ஐடி தந்தாச்சு லே...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
Hey...
Mandela, hey...
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
ஏலா..
மண்டேலா ஏலா..
Bum bum bum bum…..
Bum bum bum bum...
Ela..
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela…
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela..
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela…
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Annadang kaachikku
For a penniless, humble soul
Ponnaada thookkittu
Carrying a golden honorific shawl
Ambani vandhachu le…
An Ambani-like wealthy politician has arrived...
Vambana pottikku unnoda vote-ukku
For a fierce contest, for your single vote
Demand-u undaachu le…
High demand has been created...
Cutting-u shaving-u
Haircuts and shaves
Kattaandharai ippo sitting-eh style-aachu le
Sitting on bare ground has now become a grand style...
Kappeesu meenukku leg piece-ah kaamichu
Showing a chicken leg piece to lure a tiny worthless fish
Ukkara vechachu le…
They have made him sit with high regard...
Aattatha vaalukku out-aana ball-ukku
For a wagging tail, for a ball that went out of bounds
Vote ID thandhachu le…
A voter ID card has been issued...
Ela..
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela…
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela..
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela…
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Vaanga Mr Mandela
Welcome, Mr. Mandela
Motta poda vandhela
You came to give haircuts and shaves
Oorukkulla oruthanum agapadala
Not a single person in town gave you respect earlier
Vellai mudikkaran
A man with white hair
Pullukattu thaadikaaran
A man with a bushy beard like a hay bale
Oravunnu sollikida oruthan illai
There was no one to even claim him as a relative
Ilichavaayana nethu nethu
A gullible fool until yesterday
Kulicha odanae soakku soakku
As soon as he took a bath, he looks smart and grand
Pozhappu vanguthu kaathu kaathu
Life is now enjoying the cool breeze
Kedaicha peru ippa mandela mandela
The name he gained now is Mandela, Mandela!
Savaram panna coolie-ah
Instead of daily wages for shaving hair
Oru savaram thangam poduya
Give him a sovereign of gold!
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Vivaram konjam kooruya
Tell us a few details
Ivan power-ah vandhu paaruya
Come and see his immense power
Un card-ah konjam kaamiya
Show us your voter card
Nee vote-u podura saamy-ah
Are you the revered deity who casts the winning vote?
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Pappa bappa bappa
Quarter-ah thaada
Give me a quarter bottle of liquor
Yokkiyan yaaruda
Who here is truly honest anyway?
Koottam thaana serum paaruda
Look, the crowd will gather on its own
Summa thandha vangi poduda
If it's given for free, just take it
Nee vaangum panamae
The money you take as a bribe
Ungappan kaasu da
Is actually your own father's tax money, man!
Annadang kaachikku
For a penniless, humble soul
Ponnaada thookkittu
Carrying a golden honorific shawl
Ambani vandhachu le…
An Ambani-like wealthy politician has arrived...
Vambana pottikku unnoda vote-ukku
For a fierce contest, for your single vote
Demand-u undaachu le…
High demand has been created...
Cutting-u shaving-u
Haircuts and shaves
Kattaandharai ippo
On the bare ground, now
Sitting-eh style-aachu le
Even sitting down has become a grand style...
Kappeesu meenukku
To a tiny worthless fish
Leg piece-ah kaamichu
Showing a chicken leg piece
Ukkara vechachu le…
They made him sit with high regard...
Aattatha vaalukku out-aana ball-ukku
For a wagging tail, for a ball that went out of bounds
Vote ID thandhachu le…
A voter ID card has been issued...
Ela..
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela…
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela..
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela…
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela..
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Ela…
Hey...
Mandela ela…
Mandela, hey...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The title song of 'Mandela' (2021) is a biting social satire on electoral politics, social class, and the power of a single vote in democracy. It tells the story of an outcast, nameless barber who is treated as worthless by his village until he gets a voter ID card registered under the name 'Mandela'. When a local election ends up in a dead-heat tie between two rival caste factions, his vote becomes the sole deciding factor.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Satire and Irony
“Annadang kaachikku / Ponnaada thookkittu / Ambani vandhachu le…”
Highlights the extreme hypocrisy of wealthy politicians bowing down and offering shawls/gold to a homeless barber whom they previously ignored, purely for his vote.
Metaphor
“Kappeesu meenukku leg piece-ah kaamichu”
Compares political vote-buying bribes (liquor, chicken, money) to luring a tiny, insignificant fish with an oversized chicken leg piece.
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Cutting-u shaving-u / Kattaandharai ippo”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds in consecutive words across lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song uniquely fuses Tamil Gaana/folk rhythms composed by Bharath Sankar with South African vocal textures contributed by singer Musa Mashiane, paying a musical tribute to the African heritage associated with the name Mandela.
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