Orr Nenjukku Needhi
From Avalukku Aayiram Kangal · 1975
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- T. K. Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Avalukku Aayiram Kangal1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Orraayiram varudam vanthaal | Even if a thousand years pass, |
| Theeraatha vazhakkellaam | All the unresolved disputes, |
| Theerththu vaippaal deviyammaa….aa…aa… | Goddess Mother will settle them... |
| Male :Theerththu vaippal deviyendru kaaththiruppatho…oo… | Male: Shall we keep waiting believing Goddess will resolve it... |
| Sattam enum devanavan sathiraada maattano…oo…. | Won't the god named 'Law' perform his dance? |
| Female | |
| Orr nenjukku needhi vellum vellum | Justice will prevail for one's heart, |
| Sila kaalamaagum | Though it will take some time. |
| Vendravar melum velum vendrathumundu | Those who won have won again and again, |
| Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu | Those who lost have repeatedly lost. |
| Chorus | |
| Vendravar melum velum vendrathumundu | Those who won have won again and again, |
| Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu | Those who lost have repeatedly lost. |
| Female | |
| Orr manithan seithaal sattam | If a man makes it, it is law, |
| Athai deivam seithaal tharumam | If God makes it, it is righteousness. |
| Antha sattangalellaam dharumathai vendrathundo | Have all those laws ever defeated righteousness? |
| Male | |
| Vendravar melum velum vendrathumundu | Those who won have won again and again, |
| Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu | Those who lost have repeatedly lost. |
| Male | |
| Oru deivam seithaal dharumam | If God does it, it is righteousness, |
| Adhai manithan seithaal sattam | If man does it, it is law. |
| Un dharumangalellaam sattangal polae | Have all your righteous deeds, like human laws, |
| Vendrathum undo | Ever triumphed? |
| Chorus | |
| Vendravar melum melum vendrathumundu | Those who won have won again and again, |
| Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu | Those who lost have repeatedly lost. |
| Male | |
| Kannil kanda kaatchi palarundu saatchi | There are many witnesses to what was seen with the eyes, |
| Aa……kannil kanda kaatchi palarundu saatchi | Ah... there are many witnesses to what was seen with the eyes. |
| Amma…. idhu engal aatchi | Mother... this is our rule! |
| Mannaalae kottai katti | Building fortresses out of clay, |
| Maraigindra koottam | They are a crowd that vanishes; |
| Mazhai pondra needhi munnae adangidum aattam | Their arrogant play will cease before justice that pours like rain! |
| Female | |
| Aa…ullam konda kaatchi oru manasatchi | Ah... the vision held inside the mind is conscience, |
| Aa…ullam konda kaatchi oru manasatchi | Ah... the vision held inside the mind is conscience. |
| Aiyya….adharkethu veezhchchi | Sir... how can conscience ever face defeat? |
| Nimmathi yaethu thoongavidaathu | Where is peace? It won't let the guilty sleep, |
| Illaiyendra pothum dheivam vidaathu | Even if denied, God will not let go. |
| Male | |
| Orr nenjukku neethi vellum vellum | Justice will prevail for one's heart, |
| Sila kaalamaagum | Though it will take some time. |
| Vendravar melum melum vendrathumundu | Those who won have won again and again, |
| Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu | Those who lost have repeatedly lost. |
| Male | |
| ………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Sathi anusooyai kaalamalla naam vaazhum kaalam | The era we live in is not the age of chaste Anasuya, |
| Aniyaayam thannai vellum athikaaram sellum | Injustice will triumph, and authority holds power. |
| Female | |
| ……………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Adhikara veliyondru siru dhooram sellum | The fence of authority will extend only a short distance, |
| Chorus :Siru dhooram sellum | Chorus: Only a short distance... |
| Female :Manaiyaalin thaaliyondru dhinanthorum vellum | Female: A wife's sacred thread (mangal sutra) will triumph every day! |
| Chorus :Dhinanthorum vellum | Chorus: Will triumph every day... |
| Male | |
| Aasaikku vetkamillai | Desire knows no shame, |
| Female :Yaaridam kuttramillai | Female: Who is without fault? |
| Male :Needhiyil pedhamilla | Male: Justice makes no discrimination, |
| Female :Nee mattum needhiyillai | Female: You alone lack justice! |
| Male | |
| Indrenna solvathammaa edhirkaalam kaattum | What is there to say today, Mother? The future will show, |
| Female :Edhirkaalam ennavendru vithi vanthu kaattum | Female: Destiny will come and show what the future holds! |
| Female | |
| Orr nenjukku needhi vellum vellum | Justice will prevail for one's heart, |
| Sila kaalamaagum | Though it will take some time. |
| Chorus :Vendravar melum melum vendrathumundu | Chorus: Those who won have won again and again, |
| Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu | Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu |
ஓராயிரம் வருடம் வந்தாலும்
தீராத வழக்கெல்லாம்
தீர்த்து வைப்பாள் தேவியம்மா......ஆ...ஆ.....
தீர்த்து வைப்பாள் தேவியென்று காத்திருப்பதோ...ஓ....
சட்டம் எனும் தேவனவன் சதிராட மாட்டானோ....ஓ......
Even if a thousand years pass,
All the unresolved disputes,
Goddess Mother will settle them...
Male: Shall we keep waiting believing Goddess will resolve it...
Won't the god named 'Law' perform his dance?
ஓர் நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி வெல்லும் வெல்லும்
சில காலமாகும்
வென்றவர் மேலும் மேலும் வென்றதுமுண்டு
தோற்றவர் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் தோற்பதுமுண்டு....
Justice will prevail for one's heart,
Though it will take some time.
Those who won have won again and again,
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
வென்றவர் மேலும் மேலும் வென்றதுமுண்டு
தோற்றவர் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் தோற்பதுமுண்டு...
Those who won have won again and again,
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
ஓர் மனிதன் செய்தால் சட்டம்
அதை தெய்வம் செய்தால் தருமம்
அந்த சட்டங்களெல்லாம் தருமத்தை வென்றதுண்டோ..
If a man makes it, it is law,
If God makes it, it is righteousness.
Have all those laws ever defeated righteousness?
வென்றவர் மேலும் மேலும் வென்றதுமில்லை
தோற்றவர் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் தோற்றதுமில்லை
Those who won have won again and again,
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
ஒரு தெய்வம் செய்தால் தருமம்
அதை மனிதன் செய்தால் சட்டம்
உன் தருமங்களெல்லாம் சட்டங்கள் போலே
வென்றதும் உண்டோ
If God does it, it is righteousness,
If man does it, it is law.
Have all your righteous deeds, like human laws,
Ever triumphed?
வென்றவர் மேலும் மேலும் வென்றதுமுண்டு
தோற்றவர் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் தோற்பதுமுண்டு...
Those who won have won again and again,
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
கண்ணில் கண்ட காட்சி பலருண்டு சாட்சி
ஆ....கண்ணில் கண்ட காட்சி பலருண்டு சாட்சி
அம்மா......இது எங்கள் ஆட்சி
மண்ணாலே கோட்டைக் கட்டி
மறைக்கின்ற கூட்டம்
மழை போன்ற நீதி முன்னே அடங்கிடும் ஆட்டம்
There are many witnesses to what was seen with the eyes,
Ah... there are many witnesses to what was seen with the eyes.
Mother... this is our rule!
Building fortresses out of clay,
They are a crowd that vanishes;
Their arrogant play will cease before justice that pours like rain!
ஆ.....உள்ளம் கொண்ட காட்சி ஒரு மனசாட்சி
ஆ.....உள்ளம் கொண்ட காட்சி ஒரு மனசாட்சி
ஐயா......அதற்கேது வீழ்ச்சி
நிம்மதி ஏது தூங்கவிடாது
இல்லையென்ற போதும் தெய்வம் விடாது
Ah... the vision held inside the mind is conscience,
Ah... the vision held inside the mind is conscience.
Sir... how can conscience ever face defeat?
Where is peace? It won't let the guilty sleep,
Even if denied, God will not let go.
ஓர் நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி வெல்லும் வெல்லும்
சில காலமாகும்
வென்றவர் மேலும் மேலும் வென்றதுமுண்டு
தோற்றவர் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் தோற்பதுமுண்டு....
Justice will prevail for one's heart,
Though it will take some time.
Those who won have won again and again,
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
..................................
...
சதி அனுசூயை காலமல்ல நாம் வாழும் காலம்
அநியாயம் தன்னை வெல்லும் அதிகாரம் செல்லும்
The era we live in is not the age of chaste Anasuya,
Injustice will triumph, and authority holds power.
........................
...
அதிகார வேலியொன்று சிறு தூரம் செல்லும்
குழு :
சிறு தூரம் செல்லும்
மனையாளின் தாலியொன்று தினந்தோறும் வெல்லும்
குழு :
தினந்தோறும் வெல்லும்
The fence of authority will extend only a short distance,
Chorus: Only a short distance...
Female: A wife's sacred thread (mangal sutra) will triumph every day!
Chorus: Will triumph every day...
ஆசைக்கு வெட்கமில்லை
யாரிடம் குற்றமில்லை
நீதியில் பேதமில்லை
நீ மட்டும் நீதியில்லை
Desire knows no shame,
Female: Who is without fault?
Male: Justice makes no discrimination,
Female: You alone lack justice!
இன்றென்ன சொல்வதம்மா எதிர்காலம் காட்டும்
எதிர்காலம் என்னவென்று விதி வந்து காட்டும்
What is there to say today, Mother? The future will show,
Female: Destiny will come and show what the future holds!
ஓர் நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி வெல்லும் வெல்லும்
சில காலமாகும்
குழு :
வென்றவர் மேலும் மேலும் வென்றதுமுண்டு
தோற்றவர் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் தோற்பதுமுண்டு....
Justice will prevail for one's heart,
Though it will take some time.
Chorus: Those who won have won again and again,
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Orraayiram varudam vanthaal
Even if a thousand years pass,
Theeraatha vazhakkellaam
All the unresolved disputes,
Theerththu vaippaal deviyammaa….aa…aa…
Goddess Mother will settle them...
Male :Theerththu vaippal deviyendru kaaththiruppatho…oo…
Male: Shall we keep waiting believing Goddess will resolve it...
Sattam enum devanavan sathiraada maattano…oo….
Won't the god named 'Law' perform his dance?
Orr nenjukku needhi vellum vellum
Justice will prevail for one's heart,
Sila kaalamaagum
Though it will take some time.
Vendravar melum velum vendrathumundu
Those who won have won again and again,
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
Vendravar melum velum vendrathumundu
Those who won have won again and again,
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
Orr manithan seithaal sattam
If a man makes it, it is law,
Athai deivam seithaal tharumam
If God makes it, it is righteousness.
Antha sattangalellaam dharumathai vendrathundo
Have all those laws ever defeated righteousness?
Vendravar melum velum vendrathumundu
Those who won have won again and again,
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
Oru deivam seithaal dharumam
If God does it, it is righteousness,
Adhai manithan seithaal sattam
If man does it, it is law.
Un dharumangalellaam sattangal polae
Have all your righteous deeds, like human laws,
Vendrathum undo
Ever triumphed?
Vendravar melum melum vendrathumundu
Those who won have won again and again,
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
Kannil kanda kaatchi palarundu saatchi
There are many witnesses to what was seen with the eyes,
Aa……kannil kanda kaatchi palarundu saatchi
Ah... there are many witnesses to what was seen with the eyes.
Amma…. idhu engal aatchi
Mother... this is our rule!
Mannaalae kottai katti
Building fortresses out of clay,
Maraigindra koottam
They are a crowd that vanishes;
Mazhai pondra needhi munnae adangidum aattam
Their arrogant play will cease before justice that pours like rain!
Aa…ullam konda kaatchi oru manasatchi
Ah... the vision held inside the mind is conscience,
Aa…ullam konda kaatchi oru manasatchi
Ah... the vision held inside the mind is conscience.
Aiyya….adharkethu veezhchchi
Sir... how can conscience ever face defeat?
Nimmathi yaethu thoongavidaathu
Where is peace? It won't let the guilty sleep,
Illaiyendra pothum dheivam vidaathu
Even if denied, God will not let go.
Orr nenjukku neethi vellum vellum
Justice will prevail for one's heart,
Sila kaalamaagum
Though it will take some time.
Vendravar melum melum vendrathumundu
Those who won have won again and again,
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Those who lost have repeatedly lost.
……………….
...
Sathi anusooyai kaalamalla naam vaazhum kaalam
The era we live in is not the age of chaste Anasuya,
Aniyaayam thannai vellum athikaaram sellum
Injustice will triumph, and authority holds power.
…………….
...
Adhikara veliyondru siru dhooram sellum
The fence of authority will extend only a short distance,
Chorus :Siru dhooram sellum
Chorus: Only a short distance...
Female :Manaiyaalin thaaliyondru dhinanthorum vellum
Female: A wife's sacred thread (mangal sutra) will triumph every day!
Chorus :Dhinanthorum vellum
Chorus: Will triumph every day...
Aasaikku vetkamillai
Desire knows no shame,
Female :Yaaridam kuttramillai
Female: Who is without fault?
Male :Needhiyil pedhamilla
Male: Justice makes no discrimination,
Female :Nee mattum needhiyillai
Female: You alone lack justice!
Indrenna solvathammaa edhirkaalam kaattum
What is there to say today, Mother? The future will show,
Female :Edhirkaalam ennavendru vithi vanthu kaattum
Female: Destiny will come and show what the future holds!
Orr nenjukku needhi vellum vellum
Justice will prevail for one's heart,
Sila kaalamaagum
Though it will take some time.
Chorus :Vendravar melum melum vendrathumundu
Chorus: Those who won have won again and again,
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a dramatic and philosophical debate between two opposing perspectives on justice, truth, human law, and destiny. The male character presents a pragmatic, cynical view of the legal system, observing that human laws are often flawed, authority rules supreme, and the rich/powerful keep winning while the weak keep losing. He argues that waiting for divine intervention in human courtrooms is naive. Conversely, the female character asserts the power of conscience, dharma (righteousness), and divine retribution. She argues that corrupt power built on mud will crumble before true justice, and that guilty consciences will never know peace. The song explores deep themes of morality, comparing human-made legal codes with eternal moral order, concluding that while human court battles may favor power in the short term, ultimate justice and fate eventually reveal the truth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Vendravar melum velum vendrathumundu / Thottravar meendum meendum thorpathumundu”
The lines end with identical rhythmic and rhyming suffixes ('vendrathumundu' / 'thorpathumundu'), emphasizing the recurring cycle of victory and defeat.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Sattam enum devanavan / Orr nenjukku needhi vellum”
In Tamil poetry, Ethugai involves the second letter of consecutive lines matching in sound value.
Upamai Ani (Simile)
“Mazhai pondra needhi munnae adangidum aattam”
Justice is compared directly to rain ('mazhai pondra needhi') using the explicit comparison word 'pondra', symbolizing how righteous justice washes away arrogant power.
Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Orr manithan seithaal sattam / Athai deivam seithaal tharumam”
Contrasts human creation ('manithan seithaal sattam') with divine creation ('deivam seithaal tharumam') to highlight the tension between human legalities and divine righteousness.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by T. K. Ramamurthy with lyrics penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan, this song stands out as a powerful philosophical debate duet sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. Kannadasan's lyrical brilliance shines through lines like 'Oru manithan seithaal sattam, athai deivam seithaal tharumam', capturing complex legal and spiritual philosophy in simple, memorable Tamil verse.
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