Chennai Pattanam (Kasu Kasu)
From Alli Thandha Vaanam · 2001
- Lyricist
- Kabilan
- Singers
- Udit Narayan, Sruthi Unnikrishnan
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Details
- Alli Thandha Vaanam2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam | Chennai city, everything comes with a fee. |
| Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum | If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down. |
| Female | |
| Haei chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam | Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee. |
| Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum | If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down. |
| Male | |
| Kudkkira thaneer kaasu | Money for drinking water. |
| Kosuvai viratta kaasu | Money to chase away mosquitoes. |
| Archanai seettum | For a temple ritual ticket, |
| Male and Chorus :Kaasu | Male and Chorus: Money! |
| Male | |
| Thervu seettum | For an exam hall ticket, |
| Male and Chorus :Kaasu | Male and Chorus: Money! |
| Male :Auto meter kaasu | Male: Auto rickshaw meter money. |
| Thiruttu video kaasu | Pirated video money. |
| Male :Poli saamiyaar | Male: Fake godman, |
| Male and Chorus :Kaasu | Male and Chorus: Money! |
| Male :Ponaththin neththiyilum | Male: Even on the forehead of a corpse, |
| Male and Chorus :Kaasu | Male and Chorus: Money! |
| Male | |
| Gandhi jeyanthi madhukkadai thiranthu | Opening liquor shops on Gandhi Jayanthi, |
| Maraivaa viththaa kaasu | Selling secretly brings money. |
| Thottil thodangi savapetti varaiil | From the cradle to the coffin, |
| Thottathukellaam kaasu | For everything you touch, money! |
| Kaasu kaasu kaasu | Money, money, money! |
| Chorus :……………….. | Chorus: [Music] |
| Female | |
| Haei chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam | Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee. |
| Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum | If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down. |
| Male | |
| Bhoomi vattamaa kaasu vattamaa | Is the earth round or is money round? |
| Naadae suththuthae naagareegam suththuthae | The country revolves, civilization revolves around it. |
| Male | |
| Kadarkarai kadhal kaasu | Romance at the beach costs money. |
| Government mappilae kaasu | A government worker groom costs money. |
| Neelapadamum kaasu | Adult blue films cost money. |
| Ada sivappum vilakkum kaasu | Ah, red light districts cost money too. |
| Lkgyum kaasu | LKG school admission costs money. |
| Mbbs kaasu | MBBS degree costs money. |
| Idlya viththaalum kaasu | Even selling idlis brings money. |
| Un kidney viththaalum kaasu | Even selling your kidney brings money. |
| Male | |
| Vayasu ponnu vayasaanae | When a young girl comes of age, |
| Varangal kidaikka kaasu | Money is needed to find suitors. |
| Karpini vayiththil penn sisu irunthaal | If there is a female fetus in a pregnant belly, |
| Karppaththai kalaikkavum kaasu | Aborting the pregnancy also costs money. |
| Male | |
| Kaasu | Money! |
| Chorus :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu | Chorus: Money money money money |
| Male :Kaasu | Male: Money! |
| Chorus :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu | Chorus: Money money money money |
| Male :Kaasu | Male: Money! |
| Chorus :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu | Chorus: Money money money money |
| Male :Kaasu | Male: Money! |
| Female | |
| Haei chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam | Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee. |
| Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum | If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down. |
| Female | |
| ……………….. | [Music] |
| Male | |
| Katchi nooruda kolgai illaeda | There are a hundred political parties, but no principles. |
| Karansiyai neettudaa kaimelae pottudaa yov | Hold out currency notes, put money directly in hand, hey! |
| Male | |
| Oorvalam ponaa kaasu | Joining a rally gets you money. |
| Vanmurai senjaa kaasu | Committing violence gets you money. |
| Saathi sangam kaasu | Caste organizations cost money. |
| Santhana maramum kaasu | Sandalwood smuggling brings money. |
| Koottani saernthaa kaasu | Joining a political alliance brings money. |
| Theekkulikkavum kaasu | Self-immolation in protest gets you money. |
| Porampokku nilamum kaasu | Encroaching government wasteland brings money. |
| Ada ilavasam kooda kaaasu | Ah, even freebies cost money! |
| Male | |
| Yae kadavulai manithan kaattik kodukka | Oh, to betray God Himself, |
| Yoothaas vaanginaa kaasu | Judas accepted money! |
| Kaasin mathippai ariyaa manithan | A human who does not know the true worth of character over money, |
| Ulagil sellaa kaasu | Is like an invalid coin in this world. |
| Kaasu kaasu kaasu | Money, money, money! |
| Chorus :…………….. | Chorus: [Music] |
| Male | |
| Kaasu | Money! |
| Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu | Female: Money money money money |
| Male :Kaasu | Male: Money! |
| Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu | Female: Money money money money |
| Male :Kaasu | Male: Money! |
| Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu | Female: Money money money money |
| Male :Kaasu | Male: Money! |
| Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu | Female: Money money money money |
சென்னை பட்டிணம் எல்லாம் கட்டணம்.....
கைய நீட்டினா காசு மழை கொட்டணும்
Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
ஹேய் சென்னை பட்டிணம் எல்லாம் கட்டணம்.....
கைய நீட்டினா காசு மழை கொட்டணும்
Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
குடிக்கிற தண்ணீர் காசு
கொசுவை விரட்ட காசு
அர்ச்சனை சீட்டும்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு : காசு
Money for drinking water.
Money to chase away mosquitoes.
For a temple ritual ticket,
Male and Chorus: Money!
தேர்வு சீட்டும்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
காசு
ஆட்டோ மீட்டர் காசு
திருட்டு வீடியோ காசு
போலி சாமியார்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
காசு
பொணத்தின் நெத்தியிலும்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
காசு
For an exam hall ticket,
Male and Chorus: Money!
Male: Auto rickshaw meter money.
Pirated video money.
Male: Fake godman,
Male and Chorus: Money!
Male: Even on the forehead of a corpse,
Male and Chorus: Money!
காந்தி ஜெயந்தி மதுக்கடை திறந்து
மறைவா வித்தா காசு
தொட்டில் தொடங்கி சவப்பெட்டி வரையில்
தொட்டதுக்கெல்லாம் காசு
காசு காசு காசு
குழு :
............................
Opening liquor shops on Gandhi Jayanthi,
Selling secretly brings money.
From the cradle to the coffin,
For everything you touch, money!
Money, money, money!
Chorus: [Music]
ஹேய் சென்னை பட்டிணம் எல்லாம் கட்டணம்.....
கைய நீட்டினா காசு மழை கொட்டணும்
Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
பூமி வட்டமா காசு வட்டமா
நாடே சுத்துதே நாகரீகம் சுத்துதே
Is the earth round or is money round?
The country revolves, civilization revolves around it.
கடற்கரை காதல் காசு
கவர்மெண்ட் மாப்பிளே காசு
நீலப்படமும் காசு
அட சிவப்பு விளக்கும் காசு
எல்கேஜி-யும் காசு
எம்.பி.பி.எஸ். காசு
இட்லிய வித்தாலும் காசு
உன் கிட்னிய வித்தாலும் காசு
Romance at the beach costs money.
A government worker groom costs money.
Adult blue films cost money.
Ah, red light districts cost money too.
LKG school admission costs money.
MBBS degree costs money.
Even selling idlis brings money.
Even selling your kidney brings money.
வயசு பொண்ணு வயசானாலே
வரன்கள் கிடைக்க காசு
கர்ப்பிணி வயித்தில் பெண் சிசு இருந்தால்
கர்ப்பத்தை கலைக்கவும் காசு
When a young girl comes of age,
Money is needed to find suitors.
If there is a female fetus in a pregnant belly,
Aborting the pregnancy also costs money.
காசு
குழு :
காசு காசு காசு காசு
காசு
குழு :
காசு காசு காசு காசு
காசு
குழு :
காசு காசு காசு காசு
காசு..........
Money!
Chorus: Money money money money
Male: Money!
Chorus: Money money money money
Male: Money!
Chorus: Money money money money
Male: Money!
ஹேய் சென்னை பட்டிணம் எல்லாம் கட்டணம்.....
கைய நீட்டினா காசு மழை கொட்டணும்
Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
.............................
[Music]
கட்சி நூறுடா கொள்கை இல்லேடா
கரன்சியை நீட்டுடா கைமேல போட்டுடா யோவ்
There are a hundred political parties, but no principles.
Hold out currency notes, put money directly in hand, hey!
ஊர்வலம் போனா காசு
வன்முறை செஞ்சா காசு
சாதி சங்கம் காசு
சந்தன மரமும் காசு
கூட்டணி சேர்ந்தா காசு
தீக்குளிக்கவும் காசு
பொறம்போக்கு நிலமும் காசு
அட இலவசம் கூட காசு
Joining a rally gets you money.
Committing violence gets you money.
Caste organizations cost money.
Sandalwood smuggling brings money.
Joining a political alliance brings money.
Self-immolation in protest gets you money.
Encroaching government wasteland brings money.
Ah, even freebies cost money!
ஏ கடவுளை மனிதன் காட்டிக் கொடுக்க
யூதாஸ் வாங்கினா காசு
காசின் மதிப்பை அறியா மனிதன்
உலகில் செல்லா காசு
காசு காசு காசு
குழு :
............................
Oh, to betray God Himself,
Judas accepted money!
A human who does not know the true worth of character over money,
Is like an invalid coin in this world.
Money, money, money!
Chorus: [Music]
காசு
காசு காசு காசு காசு
காசு
காசு காசு காசு காசு
காசு
காசு காசு காசு காசு
காசு........
காசு காசு காசு காசு..
Money!
Female: Money money money money
Male: Money!
Female: Money money money money
Male: Money!
Female: Money money money money
Male: Money!
Female: Money money money money
Chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam
Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
Haei chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam
Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
Kudkkira thaneer kaasu
Money for drinking water.
Kosuvai viratta kaasu
Money to chase away mosquitoes.
Archanai seettum
For a temple ritual ticket,
Male and Chorus :Kaasu
Male and Chorus: Money!
Thervu seettum
For an exam hall ticket,
Male and Chorus :Kaasu
Male and Chorus: Money!
Male :Auto meter kaasu
Male: Auto rickshaw meter money.
Thiruttu video kaasu
Pirated video money.
Male :Poli saamiyaar
Male: Fake godman,
Male and Chorus :Kaasu
Male and Chorus: Money!
Male :Ponaththin neththiyilum
Male: Even on the forehead of a corpse,
Male and Chorus :Kaasu
Male and Chorus: Money!
Gandhi jeyanthi madhukkadai thiranthu
Opening liquor shops on Gandhi Jayanthi,
Maraivaa viththaa kaasu
Selling secretly brings money.
Thottil thodangi savapetti varaiil
From the cradle to the coffin,
Thottathukellaam kaasu
For everything you touch, money!
Kaasu kaasu kaasu
Money, money, money!
Chorus :………………..
Chorus: [Music]
Haei chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam
Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
Bhoomi vattamaa kaasu vattamaa
Is the earth round or is money round?
Naadae suththuthae naagareegam suththuthae
The country revolves, civilization revolves around it.
Kadarkarai kadhal kaasu
Romance at the beach costs money.
Government mappilae kaasu
A government worker groom costs money.
Neelapadamum kaasu
Adult blue films cost money.
Ada sivappum vilakkum kaasu
Ah, red light districts cost money too.
Lkgyum kaasu
LKG school admission costs money.
Mbbs kaasu
MBBS degree costs money.
Idlya viththaalum kaasu
Even selling idlis brings money.
Un kidney viththaalum kaasu
Even selling your kidney brings money.
Vayasu ponnu vayasaanae
When a young girl comes of age,
Varangal kidaikka kaasu
Money is needed to find suitors.
Karpini vayiththil penn sisu irunthaal
If there is a female fetus in a pregnant belly,
Karppaththai kalaikkavum kaasu
Aborting the pregnancy also costs money.
Kaasu
Money!
Chorus :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu
Chorus: Money money money money
Male :Kaasu
Male: Money!
Chorus :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu
Chorus: Money money money money
Male :Kaasu
Male: Money!
Chorus :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu
Chorus: Money money money money
Male :Kaasu
Male: Money!
Haei chennai pattinam ellaam kattanam
Hey, Chennai city, everything comes with a fee.
Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum
If you stretch out your hand, a shower of money should pour down.
………………..
[Music]
Katchi nooruda kolgai illaeda
There are a hundred political parties, but no principles.
Karansiyai neettudaa kaimelae pottudaa yov
Hold out currency notes, put money directly in hand, hey!
Oorvalam ponaa kaasu
Joining a rally gets you money.
Vanmurai senjaa kaasu
Committing violence gets you money.
Saathi sangam kaasu
Caste organizations cost money.
Santhana maramum kaasu
Sandalwood smuggling brings money.
Koottani saernthaa kaasu
Joining a political alliance brings money.
Theekkulikkavum kaasu
Self-immolation in protest gets you money.
Porampokku nilamum kaasu
Encroaching government wasteland brings money.
Ada ilavasam kooda kaaasu
Ah, even freebies cost money!
Yae kadavulai manithan kaattik kodukka
Oh, to betray God Himself,
Yoothaas vaanginaa kaasu
Judas accepted money!
Kaasin mathippai ariyaa manithan
A human who does not know the true worth of character over money,
Ulagil sellaa kaasu
Is like an invalid coin in this world.
Kaasu kaasu kaasu
Money, money, money!
Chorus :……………..
Chorus: [Music]
Kaasu
Money!
Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu
Female: Money money money money
Male :Kaasu
Male: Money!
Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu
Female: Money money money money
Male :Kaasu
Male: Money!
Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu
Female: Money money money money
Male :Kaasu
Male: Money!
Female :Kaasu kaasu kaasu kaasu
Female: Money money money money
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Chennai Pattinam' (popularly known as 'Kaasu Kaasu') from the 2001 film Alli Thandha Vaanam is a satirical track critiquing hyper-commercialism and money-driven societal obsession. Lyricist Kabilan humorously yet sharply details how every aspect of human life—from birth (cradle) to death (coffin), education, marriage, healthcare, politics, and even religion—has been monetized. Vidyasagar's vibrant beats and Udit Narayan's energetic, playful delivery underscore the tragicomic reality of modern living where material wealth dictates human value. Ultimately, the song serves as a reminder that a life governed solely by money renders a person as useless as a fake coin.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kaiya neettinaa kaasu mazhai kottanum”
'Kaasu mazhai' (Rain/shower of money) metaphorically compares the rapid, overflowing transaction of currency to a heavy rain shower.
Juxtaposition / Hyperbole
“Thottil thodangi savapetti varaiil”
'Thottil thodangi savapetti varaiil' contrasts the cradle (birth) and the coffin (death) to hyperbolically emphasize that commercialization plagues human life from start to end.
Allusion
“Yae kadavulai manithan kaattik kodukka Yoothaas vaanginaa kaasu”
References the biblical story of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver to illustrate how greed leads to ultimate betrayal.
Did you know?
Trivia
sung by Udit Narayan with lyrics by Kabilan, this song became an anthemic comedic hit across Tamil Nadu in the early 2000s due to its relatable socio-economic commentary on life in Chennai.
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