Bharath Sankar and Anthakudi Ilayaraja pair folk instrumentation with sharp lyrical satire in Mandela album’s ‘Oru Needhi’. Composer Bharath Sankar creates a rustic base for lyricist Yugabharathi’s iron-clad observations. The melody carries biting critiques of village politics through deceptive simplicity.
Released: March 27, 2021
Oru Needhi
Anthakudi Ilayaraja | Bharath Sankar • From “Mandela”
Mandela’s Oru Needhi Tamil Lyrics English Translation
Yugabharathi contrasts claims of village unity with caste divisions and idle pastimes. Lines like ‘We’ll forget our worries through the TV’ mock media distraction from inflation and unemployment. References to liquor shops and street sleeping puncture boasts of paradise.
Oru Needhi Onbathu SadhiThere’s one justice and nine castes.
Idhu Thane EngooruThis is exactly what our village is like.
Kadhai Ketka UkkaruSit down to hear the story.
Sorgam Enga OoruOur village is a paradise.
Sonangama Odum ThanneeruThe water flows peacefully here.
Annan Thambi ParuJust look at the brothers.
Aanalum Sandai SeivaruThey’ll fight with each other anyway.
Roseu Garden EngooruOur village is a rose garden.
Chanceeh Illai Nee ParuThere’s no comparison, just look.
Velai Illa Coolieum IllaThere’s no work and no wages.
Verumvaya MelvaruThey’re just chewing on thin air.
Kadhai Kadhaiya SolvaruThey’ll keep spinning story after story.
Verumvaya MelvaruThey’re just wasting time talking.
Kadhai Kadhaiya SolvaruThey’ll keep telling tall tales.
Sadhi Enna SadhiWhat’s this obsession with caste?
Ketkkadha Nalla Al YaruWho’s the “good” person who hasn’t asked about it?
Needhi Enna NeedhiWhat’s this talk of justice?
Inga Kelvi Ketta BejaruIt’s a ‘hassle’ if you ask questions here.
Topu Tucker EngooruOur village is top-notch.
Trumpu Sireh SonnaruEven Mr. Trump said so.
Tasmacu Kadaiya KakkaTo guard the ‘l#quor shop’.
Pozhuthelam KudippongaThey’ll spend all day drinking.
Nattoda Arumai PesiThey’ll talk about the nation’s glory.
Theruvoram PaduppongaThen they’ll sleep on the street corner.
Palanooru BedhamirundhumDespite hundreds of differences.
Pesuvome OnnunnuWe’ll claim that we’re one.
Kalappaga Kadhalum SenjaIf someone falls in love across castes.
Pogamattom GammunuWe won’t stay quiet about it.
Color Colorah Perumai PesiWe’ll boast about our pride in colorful ways.
Thimurave Nadappom NadappomWe’ll walk with such arrogance.
Ilavasama Edhu VandhalumWhatever comes for free.
Kedaiya Poi Kedappom KedappomWe’ll go and wait in line for it.
Soru Sugam Yedhum VenameWe don’t need food or comfort.
Tvyila Kavalai MarappomWe’ll forget our worries through the TV.
Super Staru Padam Vandhale PoiWhen the ‘Superstar’s’ movie is released.
Theaterla Whistleah ParappomWe’ll go and blow whistles in the theater.
Soru Sugam Yedhum VenameWe don’t need food or comfort.
Tvyila Kavalai MarappomWe’ll forget our worries through the TV.
Super Staru Padam Vandhale PoiWhen the ‘Superstar’s’ movie is released.
Theaterla Whistleah ParappomeWe’ll go and blow whistles in the theater.
Velavasi Yerura PodhumEven when the cost of living rises.
Selaiyattam IrupongaThey’ll stand as still as statues.
Panangasu Serndhadhu PolaAs if they’ve gathered a lot of wealth.
Pavusave NadippongaThey’ll act with such grand style.
Adimada OzhachumEven after working like slaves.
Kadanaliyave VazhvongaThey’ll continue to live as debtors.
Adhigaram KedachumEven when they get power.
Kaikooliyave PoovomgaWe’ll just end up as ‘hired pawns’.
Padichalum ManguniyaveEven if they’re educated, they’re fools.
Facebookula KedappongaThey’ll spend all their time on Facebook.
Cricketu Scorela PoyiThey’ll go check the cricket scores.
Dhesa Patra ValappongaTo grow their sense of patriotism.
Yarodum Pagaiye IllaI don’t have a grudge against anyone.
Kadhaiye Nan Vidava VidavaShould I tell the story now?
Porada Saname VandhaIf people come together to protest.
Kuri Parthu Sudava SudavaShould I take aim and challenge them?
Soru Sugam Yedhum VenameWe don’t need food or comfort.
Tvyila Kavalai MarappomWe’ll forget our worries through the TV.
Super Staru Padam Vandhale PoiWhen the ‘Superstar’s’ movie is released.
Theaterla Whistleah ParappomWe’ll go and blow whistles in the theater.
Soru Sugam Yedhum VenameWe don’t need food or comfort.
Tvyila Kavalai MarappomWe’ll forget our worries through the TV.
Super Staru Padam Vandhale PoiWhen the ‘Superstar’s’ movie is released.
Theaterla Whistleah ParappomeWe’ll go and blow whistles in the theater.
Oru NeedhiOne justice.
Oru NeedhiOne justice.
Oru NeedhiOne justice.
Onbathu SadhiNine castes.
Idhu Thane EngooruThis is exactly what our village is like.
Kadhai Ketka UkkaruSit down to hear the story.
Idhu Thane EngooruThis is exactly what our village is like.
Kadhai Ketka UkkaruSit down to hear the story.
Sorgam Enga OoruOur village is a paradise.
Sonangama Odum ThanneeruThe water flows peacefully here.
Annan Thambi ParuJust look at the brothers.
Aanalum Sandai SeivaruThey’ll fight with each other anyway.
Roseu Garden EngooruOur village is a rose garden.
Chanceeh Illai Nee ParuThere’s no comparison, just look.
Tasmacu Kadaiya KakkaTo guard the ‘l#quor shop’.
Pozhuthelam KudippongaThey’ll spend all day drinking.
Palanooru BedhamirundhumDespite hundreds of differences.
Pesuvome OnnunnuWe’ll claim that we’re one.
Yarodum Pagaiye IllaI don’t have a grudge against anyone.
Kadhaiye Nan Vidava VidavaShould I tell the story now?
Porada Saname VandhaIf people come together to protest.
Kuri ParthuTaking aim.
Soru Sugam Yedhum VenameWe don’t need food or comfort.
Tvyila Kavalai MarappomWe’ll forget our worries through the TV.
Super Staru Padam Vandhale PoiWhen the ‘Superstar’s’ movie is released.
Theaterla Whistleah ParappomWe’ll go and blow whistles in the theater.
Soru Sugam Yedhum VenameWe don’t need food or comfort.
Tvyila Kavalai MarappomWe’ll forget our worries through the TV.
Super Staru Padam Vandhale PoiWhen the ‘Superstar’s’ movie is released.
Theaterla Whistleah ParappomeWe’ll go and blow whistles in the theater.
Oru Needhi Music Video
Listeners seeking Oru Needhi lyrics meaning discover layered social critique beneath folk rhythms. The Mandela album track layers ironic praise over systemic critiques of caste obsession and political stagnation.