Rokkam Irukura Makkal
From Kasi · 2001
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kasi2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nenjamennum poongadalil | In the flower-filled ocean called the heart, |
| Aasai kanaa pooththirukku | Desired dreams have bloomed. |
| Kaigalilae alli thara | To gather and give with hands, |
| Kaalam ingae kaaththirukku | Time is waiting right here. |
| Male | |
| Aah rokkam irukkira makkal manasula | Ah, in the hearts of people who have cash, |
| Thukkam illai aah thukkam illai | There is no sorrow, ah, there is no sorrow. |
| Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku | To hoard up cash, for some people, |
| Vetkkam illai aah vetkkam illai | There is no shame, ah, there is no shame. |
| Male | |
| Dheivam konjam kann thoranthaa | If God opens His eyes just a little, |
| Yaezhaikku oru vazhi porakkum | A path will open for the poor. |
| Inba vellam pongi nikkum | A flood of joy will overflow and stand. |
| Male | |
| Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Male and Chorus : | [Male and Chorus :] |
| Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Male | |
| Rokkam irukkira makkal manasula | In the hearts of people who have cash, |
| Thukkam illai | There is no sorrow, |
| Male and Chorus :Aah thukkam illai | [Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow. |
| Male :Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku | [Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people, |
| Vetkkam illai | There is no shame, |
| Male and Chorus :Aah vetkkam illai | [Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame. |
| Male | |
| Thaana thanthanaa thaana thanthanaa | Thaana thanthanaa thaana thanthanaa |
| Ullam kai alavu | The palm of a hand is so small... |
| Ullaththilae yaekkam evvalavu | How much yearning is inside that heart? |
| Velli megam suththi varum | Silver clouds float all around, |
| Ellaiyillai vaanam avvalavu | The sky is vast without limits. |
| Kadalu thanneer thaagam theerkaathappaa | Sea water will not quench thirst, my friend! |
| Kandathu neeyum enni yaengaathappaa | Do not yearn over everything you see, my friend! |
| Ellarukkum alanthu vachchaa yaaru athu | Who is it that measured and allocated for everyone? |
| Adhu ezhuthaama ezhuthi vachchaa evvalavu | Without writing, how much has been written into destiny? |
| Inga iruppathu mattum pothum pothum endru nee | Be content saying what you have here is enough, |
| Thantha thakkida thakkidatham | Thantha thakkida thakkidatham |
| Male | |
| Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Aah thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Ah, let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Male and Chorus : | [Male and Chorus :] |
| Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Male | |
| Rokkam irukkira makkal manasula | In the hearts of people who have cash, |
| Thukkam illai | There is no sorrow, |
| Male and Chorus :Aah thukkam illai | [Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow. |
| Male :Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku | [Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people, |
| Vetkkam illai | There is no shame, |
| Male and Chorus :Aah vetkkam illai | [Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame. |
| Male | |
| Dheivam konjam kann thoranthaa | If God opens His eyes just a little, |
| Yaezhaikku oru vazhi porakkum | A path will open for the poor. |
| Inba vellam pongi nikkum | A flood of joy will overflow and stand. |
| Male | |
| Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Aah thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Ah, let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Male and Chorus : | [Male and Chorus :] |
| Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Female | |
| Neela vaanam ennum odaiyilae | In the stream called the blue sky, |
| Neenthum venilavae | Oh white moon that swims! |
| Nee pesum mouna mozhi inbam solli | Speaking joy in your silent language, |
| Paadum kannmaniyae | Oh singing precious one! |
| Female | |
| Kanae poovae poovaaramae | My darling, flower, floral garland! |
| Thunbam anbukku endrum aadhaaramae | Is suffering always the foundation of love? |
| Poo vaasam thannai sollum nanthavanam | A flower garden speaks of its fragrance, |
| Un mana vaasam solvathu ingae entha manam | Which heart here can tell the fragrance of your mind? |
| Vanthu mana poovil maalai katti vanthaenae | I came weaving a garland on the heart's flower... |
| Thantha thakkida thakkidatham | Thantha thakkida thakkidatham |
| Female | |
| Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Ada thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Hey, let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Ada thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Hey, let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Male | |
| Rokkam irukkira makkal manasula | In the hearts of people who have cash, |
| Thukkam illai | There is no sorrow, |
| Male and Chorus :Aah thukkam illai | [Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow. |
| Male :Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku | [Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people, |
| Vetkkam illai | There is no shame, |
| Male and Chorus :Aah vetkkam illai | [Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame. |
| Male | |
| Dheivam konjam kann thoranthaa | If God opens His eyes just a little, |
| Yaezhaikku oru vazhi porakkum | A path will open for the poor. |
| Inba vellam pongi nikkum | A flood of joy will overflow and stand. |
| Male | |
| Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Let sorrow vanish from us! |
| Male and Chorus : | [Male and Chorus :] |
| Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu | Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum! |
| Yaeh thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu | Yeah, let sorrow vanish from us! |
நெஞ்சமென்னும் பூங்கடலில்
ஆசை கனா பூத்திருக்கு
கைகளிலே அள்ளி தர
காலம் இங்கே காத்திருக்கு
In the flower-filled ocean called the heart,
Desired dreams have bloomed.
To gather and give with hands,
Time is waiting right here.
ஆஹ் ரொக்கம் இருக்கிற மக்கள் மனசுல
துக்கம் இல்லை ஆஹ் துக்கம் இல்லை
ரொக்கத்த சேர்த்திட இன்னும் சிலருக்கு
வெட்கம் இல்லை ஆஹ் வெட்கம் இல்லை
Ah, in the hearts of people who have cash,
There is no sorrow, ah, there is no sorrow.
To hoard up cash, for some people,
There is no shame, ah, there is no shame.
தெய்வம் கொஞ்சம் கண் தொறந்தா
ஏழைக்கு ஒரு வழி பொறக்கும்
இன்ப வெள்ளம் பொங்கி நிக்கும்
If God opens His eyes just a little,
A path will open for the poor.
A flood of joy will overflow and stand.
மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Let sorrow vanish from us!
[Male and Chorus :]
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Let sorrow vanish from us!
ரொக்கம் இருக்கிற மக்கள் மனசுல
துக்கம் இல்லை
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் துக்கம் இல்லை
ரொக்கத்த சேர்த்திட இன்னும் சிலருக்கு
வெட்கம் இல்லை
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் வெட்கம் இல்லை
In the hearts of people who have cash,
There is no sorrow,
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow.
[Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people,
There is no shame,
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame.
தான தந்தனனா தான தந்தனனா
உள்ளம் கை அளவு
உள்ளத்திலே ஏக்கம் எவ்வளவு
வெள்ளி மேகம் சுத்தி வரும்
எல்லையில்லை வானம் அவ்வளவு
கடலு தண்ணீர் தாகம் தீர்க்காதப்பா
கண்டது நீயும் எண்ணி ஏங்காதப்பா
எல்லாருக்கும் அளந்து வச்சா யாரு அது
அது எழுதாம எழுதி வச்சா எவ்வளவு
இங்க இருப்பது மட்டும் போதும் போதும் என்று நீ
தந்த தக்கிட தக்கிடதம்
Thaana thanthanaa thaana thanthanaa
The palm of a hand is so small...
How much yearning is inside that heart?
Silver clouds float all around,
The sky is vast without limits.
Sea water will not quench thirst, my friend!
Do not yearn over everything you see, my friend!
Who is it that measured and allocated for everyone?
Without writing, how much has been written into destiny?
Be content saying what you have here is enough,
Thantha thakkida thakkidatham
மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
ஆஹ் துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Ah, let sorrow vanish from us!
[Male and Chorus :]
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Let sorrow vanish from us!
ரொக்கம் இருக்கிற மக்கள் மனசுல
துக்கம் இல்லை
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் துக்கம் இல்லை
ரொக்கத்த சேர்த்திட இன்னும் சிலருக்கு
வெட்கம் இல்லை
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் வெட்கம் இல்லை
In the hearts of people who have cash,
There is no sorrow,
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow.
[Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people,
There is no shame,
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame.
தெய்வம் கொஞ்சம் கண் தொறந்தா
ஏழைக்கு ஒரு வழி பொறக்கும்
இன்ப வெள்ளம் பொங்கி நிக்கும்
If God opens His eyes just a little,
A path will open for the poor.
A flood of joy will overflow and stand.
மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
ஆஹ் துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Ah, let sorrow vanish from us!
[Male and Chorus :]
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Let sorrow vanish from us!
நீல வானம் என்னும் ஓடையிலே
நீந்தும் வெண்ணிலவே
நீ பேசும் மௌன மொழி இன்பம் சொல்லி
பாடும் கண்மணியே
In the stream called the blue sky,
Oh white moon that swims!
Speaking joy in your silent language,
Oh singing precious one!
கண்ணே பூவே பூவாரமே
துன்பம் அன்புக்கு என்றும் ஆதாரமே
பூ வாசம் தன்னை சொல்லும் நந்தவனம்
உன் மன வாசம் சொல்வது இங்கே எந்த மனம்
வந்து மண பூவில் மாலை கட்டி வந்தேனே
தந்த தக்கிட தக்கிடதம்
My darling, flower, floral garland!
Is suffering always the foundation of love?
A flower garden speaks of its fragrance,
Which heart here can tell the fragrance of your mind?
I came weaving a garland on the heart's flower...
Thantha thakkida thakkidatham
மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
அட துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
அட துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Hey, let sorrow vanish from us!
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Hey, let sorrow vanish from us!
ரொக்கம் இருக்கிற மக்கள் மனசுல
துக்கம் இல்லை
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் துக்கம் இல்லை
ரொக்கத்த சேர்த்திட இன்னும் சிலருக்கு
வெட்கம் இல்லை
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் வெட்கம் இல்லை
In the hearts of people who have cash,
There is no sorrow,
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow.
[Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people,
There is no shame,
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame.
தெய்வம் கொஞ்சம் கண் தொறந்தா
ஏழைக்கு ஒரு வழி பொறக்கும்
இன்ப வெள்ளம் பொங்கி நிக்கும்
If God opens His eyes just a little,
A path will open for the poor.
A flood of joy will overflow and stand.
மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
ஆஹ் துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆஹ் மத்தளம் மத்தளம் கொட்டு கொட்டு
ஏஹ் துக்கம் தொலையட்டும் நம்மை விட்டு
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Let sorrow vanish from us!
[Male and Chorus :]
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Yeah, let sorrow vanish from us!
Nenjamennum poongadalil
In the flower-filled ocean called the heart,
Aasai kanaa pooththirukku
Desired dreams have bloomed.
Kaigalilae alli thara
To gather and give with hands,
Kaalam ingae kaaththirukku
Time is waiting right here.
Aah rokkam irukkira makkal manasula
Ah, in the hearts of people who have cash,
Thukkam illai aah thukkam illai
There is no sorrow, ah, there is no sorrow.
Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku
To hoard up cash, for some people,
Vetkkam illai aah vetkkam illai
There is no shame, ah, there is no shame.
Dheivam konjam kann thoranthaa
If God opens His eyes just a little,
Yaezhaikku oru vazhi porakkum
A path will open for the poor.
Inba vellam pongi nikkum
A flood of joy will overflow and stand.
Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Let sorrow vanish from us!
Male and Chorus :
[Male and Chorus :]
Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Let sorrow vanish from us!
Rokkam irukkira makkal manasula
In the hearts of people who have cash,
Thukkam illai
There is no sorrow,
Male and Chorus :Aah thukkam illai
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow.
Male :Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku
[Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people,
Vetkkam illai
There is no shame,
Male and Chorus :Aah vetkkam illai
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame.
Thaana thanthanaa thaana thanthanaa
Thaana thanthanaa thaana thanthanaa
Ullam kai alavu
The palm of a hand is so small...
Ullaththilae yaekkam evvalavu
How much yearning is inside that heart?
Velli megam suththi varum
Silver clouds float all around,
Ellaiyillai vaanam avvalavu
The sky is vast without limits.
Kadalu thanneer thaagam theerkaathappaa
Sea water will not quench thirst, my friend!
Kandathu neeyum enni yaengaathappaa
Do not yearn over everything you see, my friend!
Ellarukkum alanthu vachchaa yaaru athu
Who is it that measured and allocated for everyone?
Adhu ezhuthaama ezhuthi vachchaa evvalavu
Without writing, how much has been written into destiny?
Inga iruppathu mattum pothum pothum endru nee
Be content saying what you have here is enough,
Thantha thakkida thakkidatham
Thantha thakkida thakkidatham
Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Aah thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Ah, let sorrow vanish from us!
Male and Chorus :
[Male and Chorus :]
Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Let sorrow vanish from us!
Rokkam irukkira makkal manasula
In the hearts of people who have cash,
Thukkam illai
There is no sorrow,
Male and Chorus :Aah thukkam illai
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow.
Male :Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku
[Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people,
Vetkkam illai
There is no shame,
Male and Chorus :Aah vetkkam illai
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame.
Dheivam konjam kann thoranthaa
If God opens His eyes just a little,
Yaezhaikku oru vazhi porakkum
A path will open for the poor.
Inba vellam pongi nikkum
A flood of joy will overflow and stand.
Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Aah thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Ah, let sorrow vanish from us!
Male and Chorus :
[Male and Chorus :]
Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Let sorrow vanish from us!
Neela vaanam ennum odaiyilae
In the stream called the blue sky,
Neenthum venilavae
Oh white moon that swims!
Nee pesum mouna mozhi inbam solli
Speaking joy in your silent language,
Paadum kannmaniyae
Oh singing precious one!
Kanae poovae poovaaramae
My darling, flower, floral garland!
Thunbam anbukku endrum aadhaaramae
Is suffering always the foundation of love?
Poo vaasam thannai sollum nanthavanam
A flower garden speaks of its fragrance,
Un mana vaasam solvathu ingae entha manam
Which heart here can tell the fragrance of your mind?
Vanthu mana poovil maalai katti vanthaenae
I came weaving a garland on the heart's flower...
Thantha thakkida thakkidatham
Thantha thakkida thakkidatham
Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Ada thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Hey, let sorrow vanish from us!
Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Ada thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Hey, let sorrow vanish from us!
Rokkam irukkira makkal manasula
In the hearts of people who have cash,
Thukkam illai
There is no sorrow,
Male and Chorus :Aah thukkam illai
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no sorrow.
Male :Rokkaththa saerththida innum silarukku
[Male :] To hoard up cash, for some people,
Vetkkam illai
There is no shame,
Male and Chorus :Aah vetkkam illai
[Male and Chorus :] Ah, there is no shame.
Dheivam konjam kann thoranthaa
If God opens His eyes just a little,
Yaezhaikku oru vazhi porakkum
A path will open for the poor.
Inba vellam pongi nikkum
A flood of joy will overflow and stand.
Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Beat the drum, beat the drum!
Thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Let sorrow vanish from us!
Male and Chorus :
[Male and Chorus :]
Aah maththalam maththalam kottu kottu
Ah, beat the drum, beat the drum!
Yaeh thukkam tholaiyattum nammai vittu
Yeah, let sorrow vanish from us!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film Kasi (2001) presents a poignant folk reflection on human desire, wealth, and spiritual contentment. Through rhythmic drum beats, the lyrics contrast the shameless pursuit of money with the innocence and hope of the poor. It urges listeners to find happiness in what they possess rather than chasing endless worldly desires, comparing boundless greed to attempting to quench thirst with salty sea water.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Nenjamennum poongadalil”
Compares the human heart to a flower-filled ocean, symbolizing deep and blossoming feelings.
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Maththalam maththalam kottu kottu”
Repetition of the 'Ma' sound creating a rhythmic percussion effect reflecting drum beats.
Analogy
“Kadalu thanneer thaagam theerkaathappaa”
Uses sea water's inability to satisfy thirst as an analogy for insatiable material greed.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kasi (2001) features Vikram playing a blind street musician. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and this song features soulful folk-pop vocals by Hariharan alongside a traditional percussion chorus.
Keep listening
More from Kasi
Kasi
Kasi
Kasi
Kasi
Kasi