Hariharan’s vocal delivery in Kasi merges with Ilayaraja’s composition and Pazhani Bharathi’s lyrics to form a spiritual ode. The track compares virtuous individuals to the sacred city of Varanasi. Its devotional tone mirrors traditional pilgrimage hymns while emphasizing human compassion over physical journeys.
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Released: December 20, 2024
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku
Ilaiyaraaja | Palani Bharathi • From “Kasi”
Kasi’s Punniyam Thedi Kasikku Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
Pazhani Bharathi contrasts public pilgrimages with private suffering through lines about unrecognized ‘Ganga-like tears.’ Hariharan sings of divinity arriving unexpectedly, as when ‘the madman living in a song’ draws divine visitation. The lyrics juxtapose crowded temples with solitary artistic devotion.
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku PovarPeople travel to Kasi in search of merit.
Ingu Nam NattinileRight here in our own land.
Intha Kasiyai Thedi Yaru VaruvarBut who’ll come searching for this ‘Kasi’?
Intha UlagaththileIn this wide world.
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku PovarPeople travel to Kasi in search of merit.
Ingu Nam NattinileRight here in our own land.
Intha Kasiyai Thedi Yaru VaruvarBut who’ll come searching for this ‘Kasi’?
Intha UlagaththileIn this wide world.
Pavam Pokkidum Gangaiyin PunithamEveryone knows the holiness of the ‘Ganges’ that washes away sins.
Ellarum ArivarEveryone knows it well.
Intha Pava Piraviyin Kanneer GangaiyaiBut who here knows of the ‘Ganga-like’ tears…
Inge Yar ArivarFlowing from this life of suffering?
Dheivaththai Thedi Baktharkal KoottamCrowds of devotees go to temples in search of God.
Aalayam SelluthadiThey’re heading to the shrines.
Oru Pattinil Vazhum Piththanai ThediIn search of the madman who lives within a song,
Dheivame VanthathadiDivinity itself has arrived.
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku PovarPeople travel to Kasi in search of merit.
Ingu Nam NattinileRight here in our own land.
Intha Kasiyai Thedi Yaru VaruvarBut who’ll come searching for this ‘Kasi’?
Intha UlagaththileIn this wide world.
Netru Varai SooriyanaiUntil yesterday, I only imagined the sun,
Nenjil Karpanai SeithenCreating pictures of it in my heart.
Athu Yedho Endru Enni KondenI just wondered what it might be like.
Indru Vantha SooriyanaiBut today, I saw that sun arrive,
Yezhai Kudisaiyil KandenRight here in this poor hut.
Enthan Yazhisaiyai Alli ThanthanHe’s gathered up and returned the music of my soul.
Ragaththin Koyilil Nadhaththin DevaneYou’re the God of sound in the temple of melody.
Vedhaththai Odhuven Vedhanai TheeraveI’ll chant the scriptures to end this pain.
Kanneerile Uppu Indru ThiththikkutheThe salt in my tears tastes sweet today.
Kandukonden Mattrangalai Thanthathu NeethaneI’ve realized that you’re the one who brought these changes.
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku PovarPeople travel to Kasi in search of merit.
Ingu Nam NattinileRight here in our own land.
Eppozhuthu EppozhuthuWhen, oh when,
Unthan Mugaththinai ParpenWill I look upon your face?
Adhil Enthan Mugaththinai ParpenI’ll see my own reflection in it.
Enna Seithu Enna SeithuWhat can I do, what can I do,
Intha Kadan Nan TheeppeanTo repay this debt of mine?
Patta Nandri Kadangalai TheerppenI’ll settle these debts of gratitude I owe.
Eththanai Jenmangal Vanthalum PodhathuEven a thousand lifetimes wouldn’t be enough.
Saththiyam Pattile Sonnalum TheerathuEven speaking the truth in a song won’t settle it.
Kangal Illai Parvai UnduI’ve no eyes, but I have vision.
KandukondenI’ve found my way.
Oomai Nenjam PesugindraI’ve heard the words,
Varththaiyai KetteneThat my silent heart is speaking.
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku PovarPeople travel to Kasi in search of merit.
Ingu Nam NattinileRight here in our own land.
Intha Kasiyai Thedi Yaru VaruvarBut who’ll come searching for this ‘Kasi’?
Intha UlagaththileIn this wide world.
Pavam Pokkidum Gangaiyin PunithamEveryone knows the holiness of the ‘Ganges’ that washes away sins.
Ellarum ArivarEveryone knows it well.
Intha Pava Piraviyin Kanneer GangaiyaiBut who here knows of the ‘Ganga-like’ tears…
Inge Yar ArivarFlowing from this life of suffering?
Dheivaththai Thedi Baktharkal KoottamCrowds of devotees go to temples in search of God.
Aalayam SelluthadiThey’re heading to the shrines.
Oru Pattinil Vazhum Piththanai ThediIn search of the madman who lives within a song,
Dheivame VanthathadiDivinity itself has arrived.
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku PovarPeople travel to Kasi in search of merit.
Ingu Nam NattinileRight here in our own land.
Intha Kasiyai Thedi Yaru VaruvarBut who’ll come searching for this ‘Kasi’?
Intha UlagaththileIn this wide world.
Punniyam Thedi Kasikku Music Video
Kasi presents human virtue as tangible divinity through its lyrics meaning. Selfless acts replace temple rituals, while personal transformation outweighs ceremonial traditions. The album frames ethical living as life’s true pilgrimage.