The album ‘Kasi’ by composer Ilayaraja and lyricist Muthulingam features Hariharan’s vocals. The song examines the complex relationship between wealth and happiness. It questions societal norms around money.
Released: December 20, 2024
Rokkam Irukura Makkal
Ilaiyaraaja | Mu. Metha • From “Kasi”
Rokkam Irukura Makkal Lyrics Translation Ilaiyaraaja | Mu. Metha | Kasi
Muthulingam writes that the rich have no sorrow, while others pursue wealth without shame. He then states that divine grace can create a path for the poor.
Nenjamennum PoongadalilIn the flowery ocean of the heart,
Aasai Kana PooththirukkuA dream of desire has blossomed.
Kaigalile Alli TharaTo gather it up and hand it to you,
Kalam Inge KaththirukkuTime’s waiting right here.
Rokkam Irukkira Makkal ManasulaIn the hearts of people who’ve got cash,
Thukkam Illai Ah Thukkam IllaiThere’s no sorrow, oh, there’s no sorrow.
Rokkaththa Serththida Innum SilarukkuTo keep piling up more wealth, some others
Vetkkam Illai Ah Vetkkam IllaiHave no shame, oh, they’ve no shame.
Dheivam Konjam Kann ThoranthaIf the ‘Deity’ opens His eyes just a bit,
Yezhaikku Oru Vazhi PorakkumA path will be born for the poor.
Inba Vellam Pongi NikkumA flood of joy’ll rise and overflow.
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuLet this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuLet this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Rokkam Irukkira Makkal ManasulaIn the hearts of people who’ve got cash,
Thukkam IllaiThere’s no sorrow,
Ah Thukkam IllaiOh, there’s no sorrow.
Rokkaththa Serththida Innum SilarukkuTo keep piling up more wealth, some others
Vetkkam IllaiHave no shame,
Ah Vetkkam IllaiOh, they’ve no shame.
Thana Thanthana Thana ThanthanaDrumming to the rhythm, tan-tana-na,
Ullam Kai AlavuThe heart’s only the size of a palm,
Ullaththile Yekkam EvvalavuBut how much longing’s stored in there?
Velli Megam Suththi VarumSilver clouds’re circling around,
Ellaiyillai Vanam AvvalavuThe sky is that vast and limitless.
Kadalu Thanneer Thagam TheerkathappaThe ocean’s water won’t quench your thirst, friend.
Kandathu Neeyum Enni YengathappaDon’t just long for everything you see.
Ellarukkum Alanthu Vacha Yaru AthuWho’s the one who’s measured and set this for all?
Adhu Ezhuthama Ezhuthi Vacha EvvalavuHow much of it was written as unchangeable fate?
Inga Iruppathu Mattum Pothum Pothum Endru NeeSaying that what you’ve here’s enough,
Thantha Thakkida ThakkidathamDrumming to the rhythmic beat.
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuLet this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuLet this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Rokkam Irukkira Makkal ManasulaIn the hearts of people who’ve got cash,
Thukkam IllaiThere’s no sorrow,
Ah Thukkam IllaiOh, there’s no sorrow.
Rokkaththa Serththida Innum SilarukkuTo keep piling up more wealth, some others
Vetkkam IllaiHave no shame,
Ah Vetkkam IllaiOh, they’ve no shame.
Dheivam Konjam Kann ThoranthaIf the ‘Deity’ opens His eyes just a bit,
Yezhaikku Oru Vazhi PorakkumA path’ll be born for the poor.
Inba Vellam Pongi NikkumA flood of joy’ll rise and overflow.
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuLet this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuLet this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Neela Vanam Ennum OdaiyileIn the stream called the blue sky,
Neenthum VenilaveOh, silver moon that’s swimming there.
Nee Pesum Mouna Mozhi Inbam SolliYour silent language tells a joyful story,
Padum KannmaniyeSinging out, my dear one.
Kane Poove PoovarameOh dear flower, a beautiful garland,
Thunbam Anbukku Endrum AdharameSorrow’s always the foundation for love.
Poo Vasam Thannai Sollum NanthavanamThe ‘flower garden’ tells of its own scent,
Un Mana Vasam Solvathu Inge Entha ManamWhich heart here can tell of your own fragrance?
Vanthu Mana Poovil Malai Katti VantheneI’ve come to weave a garland for your heart’s flower,
Thantha Thakkida ThakkidathamDrumming to the rhythmic beat.
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Ada Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuOh, let this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Ada Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuOh, let this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Rokkam Irukkira Makkal ManasulaIn the hearts of people who’ve got cash,
Thukkam IllaiThere’s no sorrow,
Ah Thukkam IllaiOh, there’s no sorrow.
Rokkaththa Serththida Innum SilarukkuTo keep piling up more wealth, some others
Vetkkam IllaiHave no shame,
Ah Vetkkam IllaiOh, they’ve no shame.
Dheivam Konjam Kann ThoranthaIf the ‘Deity’ opens His eyes just a bit,
Yezhaikku Oru Vazhi PorakkumA path’ll be born for the poor.
Inba Vellam Pongi NikkumA flood of joy’ll rise and overflow.
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuLet this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Maththalam Maththalam Kottu KottuBeat the ‘mridangam’ drum, beat it hard!
Yeh Thukkam Tholaiyattum Nammai VittuYeah, let this sorrow leave us and get lost!
Rokkam Irukura Makkal Music Video
Ilayaraja’s work in the album ‘Kasi’ delivers a message of seeking contentment beyond money. The lyrics in English for ‘Rokkam Irukura Makkal’ advise that true peace comes from divine grace.