Oru Needhi
From Mandela · 2021
- Lyricist
- Yugabharathi
- Singer
- Anthakudi Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Bharath Sankar
- Details
- Mandela2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru needhi onbathu saadhi | One justice, nine castes |
| Idhu thaanae engooru | This is my village |
| All :Kadhai ketka ukkaaru | All: Sit down to hear the story |
| Male :Sorgam enga ooru | Male: My village is a paradise |
| Male | |
| Sonangaama odum thanneeru | Where water flows quietly |
| All :Annan thambi paaru | All: Look at the brothers |
| Aanaalum sandai seivaaru | Yet they fight among themselves |
| Rose-u garden engooru | My village is a rose garden |
| Chance-eh illai nee paaru | There is no match for it, just look |
| Male | |
| Velai illa coolie-um illa | No jobs and no daily wage work |
| Verumvaaya melvaaru | They just sit and chew empty air |
| All :Kadhai kadhaiya solvaaru | All: Telling story after story |
| Male :Verumvaaya melvaaru | Male: They just sit and chew empty air |
| All :Kadhai kadhaiya solvaaru | All: Telling story after story |
| Male | |
| Saadhi enna saadhi | What caste, which caste? |
| Ketkkadha nalla aal yaaru | Who is a good person that hasn't asked that? |
| All :Needhi enna needhi | All: What justice, which justice? |
| Inga kelvi ketta bejaru | If you ask questions here, it creates trouble |
| Top-u tucker engooru | My village is top class |
| Trump-u sir-eh sonnaru | Even Mr. Trump said so |
| Male | |
| Tasmac-u kadaiya kaakka | Just to guard the government liquor shop |
| Pozhuthelaam kudipponga | They drink all day long |
| All :Naattoda arumai pesi | All: Talking high about the nation's greatness |
| Theruvoram padupponga | They lie passed out on the street corners |
| Male | |
| Palanooru bedhamirundhum | Despite hundreds of differences |
| Pesuvomae onnunnu | We claim that we are all one |
| All :Kalappaga kadhalum senja | All: But if an inter-caste love happens |
| Pogamaattom gammunu | We won't stay quiet |
| Male | |
| Color color-ah perumai pesi | Boasting in colorful ways |
| Thimuraavae nadappom nadappom | We walk around with sheer arrogance |
| All :Ilavasama edhu vandhaalum | All: Whatever comes for free from the government |
| Kedaiya poi kedappom kedappom | We go and queue up like cattle |
| Male | |
| Velavaasi yerura podhum…mmm | Even when prices keep rising... mmm |
| Aaa… | Aaa... |
| Velavaasi yerura podhum | Even when prices keep rising |
| Selaiyaattam iruponga | They stand frozen like statues |
| All :Panangaasu serndhadhu pola | All: As if they accumulated huge wealth |
| Pavusaavae nadipponga | They put on a grand act of pride |
| Male | |
| Velavaasi yerura podhum | Even when prices keep rising |
| Selaiyaattam iruponga | They stand frozen like statues |
| All :Panangaasu serndhadhu pola | All: As if they accumulated huge wealth |
| Pavusaavae nadipponga | They put on a grand act of pride |
| Male | |
| Adimaada ozhachum | Working tirelessly like beasts of burden |
| Kadanaaliyaavae vaazhvonga | They still live forever in debt |
| All :Adhigaram kedachum | All: Even after getting power in hand |
| Kaikooliyaavae poovomga | They end up as hired henchmen |
| Male | |
| Padichaalum manguniyaavae…hey | Even if educated, like utter fools... |
| Padichalum manguniyaavae | Even if educated, like utter fools |
| Facebook-u-la kedapponga | They lie around on Facebook all day |
| All :Cricket-u score-la poyi | All: By checking cricket scores |
| Dhesa patra valapponga | They nurture their patriotism! |
| Male | |
| Yaarodum pagaiyae illa | We have no enmity with anyone |
| Kadhaiyae naan vidava vidava | Shall I spin a grand story now? |
| All :Porada sanamae vandha | All: But if common people rise to protest |
| Kuri paarthu sudava sudava | Shall I take aim and shoot them down? |
| Male | |
| Oru needhi | One justice |
| Oru needhi | One justice |
| Oru needhi | One justice |
| All :Onbathu saadhi | All: Nine castes |
| Male | |
| Idhu thaanae engooru | This is my village |
| All :Kadhai ketka ukkaaru | All: Sit down to hear the story |
| Male :Idhu thaanae engooru | Male: This is my village |
| All :Kadhai ketka ukkaaru | All: Sit down to hear the story |
| Male :Sorgam enga ooru | Male: My village is a paradise |
| Male | |
| Sonangaama odum thanneeru | Where water flows quietly |
| All :Annan thambi paaru | All: Look at the brothers |
| Aanaalum sandai seivaaru | Yet they fight among themselves |
| Rose-u garden engooru | My village is a rose garden |
| Chance-eh illai nee paaru | There is no match for it, just look |
| Male | |
| Tasmac-u kadaiya kaakka | Just to guard the government liquor shop |
| Pozhuthelaam kudipponga | They drink all day long |
| Palanooru bedhamirundhum | Despite hundreds of differences |
| Pesuvomae onnunnu | We claim that we are all one |
| Male | |
| Yaarodum pagaiyae illa | We have no enmity with anyone |
| Kadhaiyae naan vidava vidava | Shall I spin a grand story now? |
| Porada sanamae vandha | If common people rise to protest |
| Kuri paarthu… | Taking aim... |
ஒரு நீதி ஒன்பது சாதி
இது தானே எங்கூரு
One justice, nine castes
This is my village
All: Sit down to hear the story
Male: My village is a paradise
கதை கேட்க்க உக்காரு
சொர்க்கம் எங்க ஊரு
Where water flows quietly
All: Look at the brothers
Yet they fight among themselves
My village is a rose garden
There is no match for it, just look
சொணங்காம ஓடும் தண்ணீரு
குழு :
அண்ணன் தம்பி பாரு
ஆனாலும் சண்டை செய்வாரு
ரோசு கார்டன் எங்கூரு
சான்சே இல்லை நீ பாரு
No jobs and no daily wage work
They just sit and chew empty air
All: Telling story after story
Male: They just sit and chew empty air
All: Telling story after story
வேலை இல்லா கூலியும் இல்ல
வெறும்வாய மெல்வாரு
குழு :
கதை கதையா சொல்வாரு
வெறும்வாய மெல்வாரு
குழு :
கதை கதையா சொல்வாரு
What caste, which caste?
Who is a good person that hasn't asked that?
All: What justice, which justice?
If you ask questions here, it creates trouble
My village is top class
Even Mr. Trump said so
சாதி என்ன சாதி
கேட்க்காத நல்ல ஆள் யாரு
குழு :
நீதி என்ன நீதி
இங்க கேள்வி கேட்டா பேஜாரு
டாப்பு டக்கர் எங்கூரு
ட்ரம்பு சாரே சொன்னாரு
Just to guard the government liquor shop
They drink all day long
All: Talking high about the nation's greatness
They lie passed out on the street corners
டாஸ்மாக்கு கடைய காக்க
பொழுதெல்லாம் குடிப்போங்க
குழு :
நாட்டோட அருமை பேசி
தெருவோரம் படுப்போங்க
Despite hundreds of differences
We claim that we are all one
All: But if an inter-caste love happens
We won't stay quiet
பலநூறு பேதமிருந்தும்
பேசுவோமே ஒண்ணுன்னு
குழு :
கலப்பாக காதலும் செஞ்சா
போகமாட்டோம் கம்முனு
Boasting in colorful ways
We walk around with sheer arrogance
All: Whatever comes for free from the government
We go and queue up like cattle
கலர் கலரா பெருமை பேசி
திமுராவே நடப்போம் நடப்போம்
குழு :
இலவசமா எது வந்தாலும்
கெடயா போயி கெடப்போம்
Even when prices keep rising... mmm
Aaa...
Even when prices keep rising
They stand frozen like statues
All: As if they accumulated huge wealth
They put on a grand act of pride
சோறு சுகம் ஏதும் வேணாமே
டிவியில கவலை மறப்போம்
சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரு படம் வந்தாலே போயி
தியேட்டர்ல விசிலா பார்ப்போம்
Even when prices keep rising
They stand frozen like statues
All: As if they accumulated huge wealth
They put on a grand act of pride
சோறு சுகம் ஏதும் வேணாமே
டிவியில கவலை மறப்போம்
சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரு படம் வந்தாலே போயி
தியேட்டர்ல விசிலா பார்ப்போம்
Working tirelessly like beasts of burden
They still live forever in debt
All: Even after getting power in hand
They end up as hired henchmen
வெலவாசி ஏறுனா போதும்... ம்ம்..
ஆ...
வெலவாசி ஏறுனா போதும்
செலையாட்டோம் இருப்போங்க
குழு :
பணங்காசு சேர்ந்தது போல
பவுசாவே நடிப்போங்க
Even if educated, like utter fools...
Even if educated, like utter fools
They lie around on Facebook all day
All: By checking cricket scores
They nurture their patriotism!
வெலவாசி ஏறுனா போதும்
செலையாட்டோம் இருப்போங்க
குழு :
பணங்காசு சேர்ந்தது போல
பவுசாவே நடிப்போங்க
We have no enmity with anyone
Shall I spin a grand story now?
All: But if common people rise to protest
Shall I take aim and shoot them down?
அடிமாடா ஒழச்சும்
கடனாளியாவே வாழ்வோங்க
குழு :
அதிகாரம் கெடச்சும்
கைக்கூளியாவே போவோம்ங்க
One justice
One justice
One justice
All: Nine castes
படிச்சாலும் மங்குனியாவே... ஹே
படிச்சாலும் மங்குனியாவே
பேஸ்புக்குல கெடப்போங்க
குழு :
கிரிக்கெட்டு ஸ்கோர்ல போயி
தேச பற்ற வளப்போங்க
This is my village
All: Sit down to hear the story
Male: This is my village
All: Sit down to hear the story
Male: My village is a paradise
யாரோடும் பகையே இல்ல
கதையே நான் விடவா விடவா
குழு :
போராட சனமே வந்தா
குறி பார்த்து சுடவா சுடவா
Where water flows quietly
All: Look at the brothers
Yet they fight among themselves
My village is a rose garden
There is no match for it, just look
சோறு சுகம் ஏதும் வேணாமே
டிவி இல கவலை மறப்போம்
சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரு படம் வந்தாலே போயி
தியேட்டர்ல விசில பறப்போம்
Just to guard the government liquor shop
They drink all day long
Despite hundreds of differences
We claim that we are all one
சோறு சுகம் ஏதும் வேணாமே
டிவி இல கவலை மறப்போம்
சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரு படம் வந்தாலே போயி
தியேட்டர்ல விசில பறப்போமே
We have no enmity with anyone
Shall I spin a grand story now?
If common people rise to protest
Taking aim...
ஒரு நீதி
ஒரு நீதி
ஒரு நீதி
குழு :
ஒன்பது சாதி
இது தானே எங்கூரு
குழு :
கதை கேட்க்க உக்காரு
இது தானே எங்கூரு
குழு :
கதை கேட்க்க உக்காரு
சொர்க்கம் எங்க ஊரு
சொணங்காம ஓடும் தண்ணீரு
குழு :
அண்ணன் தம்பி பாரு
ஆனாலும் சண்டை செய்வாரு
ரோசு கார்டன் எங்கூரு
சான்சே இல்லை நீ பாரு
டாஸ்மாக்கு கடைய காக்க
பொழுதெல்லாம் குடிப்போங்க
பலநூறு பேதமிருந்தும்
பேசுவோமே ஒண்ணுன்னு
யாரோடும் பகையே இல்ல
கதையே நான் விடவா விடவா
போராட சனமே வந்தா
குறி பார்த்து...
சோறு சுகம் ஏதும் வேணாமே
டிவி இல கவலை மறப்போம்
சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரு படம் வந்தாலே போயி
தியேட்டர்ல விசில பறப்போம்
சோறு சுகம் ஏதும் வேணாமே
டிவி இல கவலை மறப்போம்
சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரு படம் வந்தாலே போயி
தியேட்டர்ல விசில பறப்போமே...
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் .... டுர்ர்ர்...
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்....................
Oru needhi onbathu saadhi
One justice, nine castes
Idhu thaanae engooru
This is my village
All :Kadhai ketka ukkaaru
All: Sit down to hear the story
Male :Sorgam enga ooru
Male: My village is a paradise
Sonangaama odum thanneeru
Where water flows quietly
All :Annan thambi paaru
All: Look at the brothers
Aanaalum sandai seivaaru
Yet they fight among themselves
Rose-u garden engooru
My village is a rose garden
Chance-eh illai nee paaru
There is no match for it, just look
Velai illa coolie-um illa
No jobs and no daily wage work
Verumvaaya melvaaru
They just sit and chew empty air
All :Kadhai kadhaiya solvaaru
All: Telling story after story
Male :Verumvaaya melvaaru
Male: They just sit and chew empty air
All :Kadhai kadhaiya solvaaru
All: Telling story after story
Saadhi enna saadhi
What caste, which caste?
Ketkkadha nalla aal yaaru
Who is a good person that hasn't asked that?
All :Needhi enna needhi
All: What justice, which justice?
Inga kelvi ketta bejaru
If you ask questions here, it creates trouble
Top-u tucker engooru
My village is top class
Trump-u sir-eh sonnaru
Even Mr. Trump said so
Tasmac-u kadaiya kaakka
Just to guard the government liquor shop
Pozhuthelaam kudipponga
They drink all day long
All :Naattoda arumai pesi
All: Talking high about the nation's greatness
Theruvoram padupponga
They lie passed out on the street corners
Palanooru bedhamirundhum
Despite hundreds of differences
Pesuvomae onnunnu
We claim that we are all one
All :Kalappaga kadhalum senja
All: But if an inter-caste love happens
Pogamaattom gammunu
We won't stay quiet
Color color-ah perumai pesi
Boasting in colorful ways
Thimuraavae nadappom nadappom
We walk around with sheer arrogance
All :Ilavasama edhu vandhaalum
All: Whatever comes for free from the government
Kedaiya poi kedappom kedappom
We go and queue up like cattle
Velavaasi yerura podhum…mmm
Even when prices keep rising... mmm
Aaa…
Aaa...
Velavaasi yerura podhum
Even when prices keep rising
Selaiyaattam iruponga
They stand frozen like statues
All :Panangaasu serndhadhu pola
All: As if they accumulated huge wealth
Pavusaavae nadipponga
They put on a grand act of pride
Velavaasi yerura podhum
Even when prices keep rising
Selaiyaattam iruponga
They stand frozen like statues
All :Panangaasu serndhadhu pola
All: As if they accumulated huge wealth
Pavusaavae nadipponga
They put on a grand act of pride
Adimaada ozhachum
Working tirelessly like beasts of burden
Kadanaaliyaavae vaazhvonga
They still live forever in debt
All :Adhigaram kedachum
All: Even after getting power in hand
Kaikooliyaavae poovomga
They end up as hired henchmen
Padichaalum manguniyaavae…hey
Even if educated, like utter fools...
Padichalum manguniyaavae
Even if educated, like utter fools
Facebook-u-la kedapponga
They lie around on Facebook all day
All :Cricket-u score-la poyi
All: By checking cricket scores
Dhesa patra valapponga
They nurture their patriotism!
Yaarodum pagaiyae illa
We have no enmity with anyone
Kadhaiyae naan vidava vidava
Shall I spin a grand story now?
All :Porada sanamae vandha
All: But if common people rise to protest
Kuri paarthu sudava sudava
Shall I take aim and shoot them down?
Oru needhi
One justice
Oru needhi
One justice
Oru needhi
One justice
All :Onbathu saadhi
All: Nine castes
Idhu thaanae engooru
This is my village
All :Kadhai ketka ukkaaru
All: Sit down to hear the story
Male :Idhu thaanae engooru
Male: This is my village
All :Kadhai ketka ukkaaru
All: Sit down to hear the story
Male :Sorgam enga ooru
Male: My village is a paradise
Sonangaama odum thanneeru
Where water flows quietly
All :Annan thambi paaru
All: Look at the brothers
Aanaalum sandai seivaaru
Yet they fight among themselves
Rose-u garden engooru
My village is a rose garden
Chance-eh illai nee paaru
There is no match for it, just look
Tasmac-u kadaiya kaakka
Just to guard the government liquor shop
Pozhuthelaam kudipponga
They drink all day long
Palanooru bedhamirundhum
Despite hundreds of differences
Pesuvomae onnunnu
We claim that we are all one
Yaarodum pagaiyae illa
We have no enmity with anyone
Kadhaiyae naan vidava vidava
Shall I spin a grand story now?
Porada sanamae vandha
If common people rise to protest
Kuri paarthu…
Taking aim...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oru Needhi Onbathu Saadhi' from the movie 'Mandela' (2021) is a biting socio-political satire that exposes the absurdities, hypocrisy, and systemic flaws embedded in rural Indian society. Through sarcastic lyrics, it highlights how caste divisions override basic human unity, how unemployment leads to idle gossip, and how voters are easily placated by freebies while remaining indifferent to rising inflation and corruption.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony / Satire
“Sorgam enga ooru / Rose-u garden engooru”
The lyrics mockingly describe a poverty-stricken, caste-ridden village as a 'paradise' and a 'rose garden'.
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyming)
“Saadhi enna saadhi / Needhi enna needhi”
The second consonant 'dh' matches in both 'Saadhi' and 'Needhi', creating traditional Tamil rhythmic meter.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Velai illa coolie-um illa / Verumvaaya melvaaru / All :Kadhai kadhaiya solvaaru”
The lines end with similar phonetic endings ('melvaaru' / 'solvaaru'), establishing a folk song cadence.
Muran (Antithesis)
“Palanooru bedhamirundhum / Pesuvomae onnunnu”
Juxtaposes having hundreds of differences with hypocritically pretending to be united.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Mandela' (2021), directed by debutant Madonne Ashwin and starring Yogi Babu, won two National Film Awards (Best Screenplay and Best Debut Film of a Director). The song's composer Bharath Sankar infused authentic Tamil Gaana/folk instrumentation with folk singer Anthakudi Ilayaraja's raw vocal delivery to emphasize the satirical tone of village politics.
Keep listening