Arivu | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Arivarasu Kalainesan |
Born | India |
Genres | |
Occupations | |
Years active | 2017–present |
Arivarasu Kalainesan, more commonly known as Arivu, is an Indian rapper, singer, songwriter and composer. He is best known for his independent singles, including " Enjoy Enjaami ", and for his work on film numbers like "Vaathi Raid" from Master (2021), "Single Pasanga" from Natpe Thunai (2019), " Neeye Oli " from Sarpatta Parambarai (2021) and "Golden Sparrow" from Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam. Arivu’s music is characterized by its unapologetically bold lyricism, often delving into diverse themes such as socio-political commentary, love, co-existing with nature and Tamil culture. Through a combination of storytelling, folk melodies, and rap, he crafts a sonic experience that resonates with listeners from diverse backgrounds. Arivu's style is also distinguished by his use of Oppari, a traditional Tamil form of lament singing, blended with rap. His work is notable for bridging traditional Tamil music and Western genres, allowing a new generation to connect with cultural roots while enjoying modern beats.
Arivu was born in Arakkonam, a town in Tamil Nadu, India, into a family rooted in education and social service. His early exposure to Tamil folk music, Ambedkarite songs, and Arivoli Iyakkam (literacy awareness campaign) songs played a vital role in shaping his musical and ideological outlook. Starting from his teenage years, Arivu developed a deep understanding of socio-political issues, which became one of the central themes in his music. At the age of 18, Arivu released his debut poetry collection titled "Kuninthi Varaverkum Kudisaigal" which dealt with a range of topics spanning from love to socio-political issues.
Arivu gained widespread recognition through his association with The Casteless Collective, a Chennai-based band that uses music to address caste oppression, inequality, and social reform. Formed by film director Pa. Ranjith in 2017, the collective consists of artists who challenge caste discrimination through a mix of Tamil folk traditions, rock, and rap.In 2017, Arivu auditioned and became a part of The Casteless Collective. Arivu rose to prominence as a songwriter and rapper through his work with the group, including "Jaibhim Anthem" and "Quota Song". [1] Arivu's contributions to The Casteless Collective include songwriting and rapping, where he combines Tamil folklore with modern hip-hop beats to communicate powerful messages. As the prime songwriter for the band, Arivu gained recognition for his powerful lyricism and his ability to draw on multiple storytelling traditions to create a "potent fusion". [2]
Arivu wrote his first lyrics for the film Kaala (2018). On the basis of his contributions to The Casteless Collective band, Arivu was offered the opportunity to write the climax song “Urimaiyai Meetpom” for the Rajinikanth starrer Kaala by Director Pa Ranjith. At the age of 24, Arivu is the youngest songwriter ever to write for a Rajinikanth movie. Following this with hit numbers like "Maathiya Seraiyile" and "Patta Patti" in Director Vetrimaran’s Vada Chennai (2018), “Single Pasanga” in Natpe Thunai (2019) and “Vathi Raid” in Master (2021) has solidified Arivu as one of the notable songwriters in the Tamil music industry.
In 2019, Arivu's debut album Therukural (Tamil: Voice of the Street) was released. Songs such as "Anti-Indian" and "Kalla Mouni" were written to highlight political issues in India and "speak truth to power". [3] Therukural received positive reviews and was featured in Rolling Stone India as one of the top ten Indian albums in 2019. [4] [5] "Anti-Indian" was described as a "politically conscious hip-hop song" by Rolling Stone India. [6] His music has won him praise "from commoners and musicians alike" [7] and he has been described as top of the list of people who can to "use the power of music to move the public". [8]
In August 2021, Rolling Stone India called Arivu "the voice of socio-political hip-hop, smashing records and defying social norms", and featured him in its digital cover. [9]
In 2021, Arivu achieved a career milestone with the release of Enjoy Enjaami, a Tamil single produced by the music label Maajja. Enjoy Enjaami broke the glass ceiling for Tamil independent music by garnering more than 500 million views in YouTube (as of November 2024). Collaborating with singer Dhee, Arivu wrote and performed verses that tell the story of Tamil landless laborers, colonial exploitation, and the community’s connection with nature. The song's unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements, combined with Arivu’s poignant verses, made it a viral hit on streaming platforms, with half a billion views globally. The success of Enjoy Enjaami brought Tamil independent music to the forefront and earned Arivu recognition as a dynamic new artist on the international stage. His contribution of fusing the traditional genre of Oppari with modern rap in his writing and delivery is seen as one of his authentic trademarks.
In Enjoy Enjaami, Arivu explores the complex history of his grandmother Valliyamma, an immigrant tea-plantation labourer from Sri Lanka. According to the lyricist, Arivu, the song was written as a celebration of his roots, harkening back to a time when humanity was a fledgling civilization, living in harmony with the turns of the earth and the many lives that shared it with them. Later, for the occasion of World Music Day, Enjoy Enjaami was remixed by DJ Snake for Spotify Singles.
Arivu also leads the 10-piece band Ambassa, founded in 2022. The band draws on modern Western musical elements such as rapping and beatboxing, as well as traditional Indian music traditions such as oppari and gaana. [9] Ambassa is a colloquial term in Tamil for 50 paisa. [8]
In 2023, Arivu is offered the opportunity to be the curator for the Coke Studio Tamil Season 1 along with Sean Roland. He wrote and performed the single Sagavasi along with Khatija Rahman, which became the most listened-to song of the season with 23 million views on YouTube. Arivu's Ambassa band’s debut song, Tamizh Vazhthu, was premiered on Coke Studio Tamil Season 2. [10]
Year | Title | Composer | Songwriter | Peak chart positions | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UKAsian [12] | |||||
2020 | "Monkeys with 5G" | Arivu | Arivu | — | [13] |
2021 | "Don't Touch Me" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | — | [14] | |
2021 | "Enjoy Enjaami" | Santhosh Narayanan, Arivu | 5 | [15] | |
2024 | "TVK Ideology Song" | Thaman S | Vivek | — | [16] |
Year | Film | Credited as | Song(s) | Composer | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singer | Lyricist | ||||
2018 | Kaala | "Urimayai Meetpom" | Santhosh Narayanan | ||
Vada Chennai | "Maathiya Seraiyile" "Patta Patti" | ||||
2019 | Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven | "Red Cardu" "Modern Muniyamma" | Hiphop Tamizha | ||
Natpe Thunai | "Single Pasanga" "Veedhikor Jaadhi" | ||||
Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu | "Nilamellam" | Tenma | |||
"Thalaimurai" | |||||
2020 | Pattas | "Mavane" | Vivek-Mervin | ||
Dagaalty | "Dagaalty Naa!" | Vijay Narain | |||
Naadodigal 2 | "Varungaalam Engaladhu" | Justin Prabhakaran | |||
Naan Sirithal | "Happy Birthday" | Hiphop Tamizha | |||
College Kumar | "College Kumar" "Baari Baari" | Qutub-E-Kripa | |||
Gypsy | "Theevira Vyaadhi" | Santhosh Narayanan | |||
Soorarai Pottru | "Maara Theme" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |||
Tughlaq Durbar | "Annathe Sethi" | Govind Vasantha | |||
Master | "Vathi Raid" | Anirudh Ravichander | |||
2021 | Mandela | "Yela Yelo" | Bharath Sankar | ||
Jagame Thandhiram | "Theengu Thaakka" "Naan Dhaan Da Mass" | Santhosh Narayanan | |||
Sarpatta Parambarai | "Neeye Oli" "Neeye Oli" (Film Version) | ||||
Aranmanai 3 | "Ratatapata" | C. Sathya | |||
Jai Bhim | "Power" | Sean Roldan | |||
Jail | "Pathu Kaasu" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |||
"Nagarodi" | |||||
Enemy | "Pathala" | S. Thaman | |||
"Little India" | |||||
"Orey Naan Orey Nee" | Sam C. S. | ||||
Annaatthe | "A for Annaatthe" | D. Imman | |||
Maanaadu | "Voice of Unity" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |||
Enna Solla Pogirai | "Cute Ponnu" | Vivek-Mervin | |||
2022 | Valimai | "The Intense of Fire - Theme" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | ||
Maaran | "Polladha Ulagam" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |||
Yaanai | "Bodhaiya Vittu Vaale" | ||||
Selfie | "Oorkaran" | ||||
"Imaikkariye" | |||||
"Badass Bossman" | |||||
"Padippu Thevaillai" | |||||
"Yedakoodam" | |||||
Prince | "Who Am I?" | Thaman S | |||
"Jessica" | |||||
Captain | "Akkrinai Naan" | D. Imman | |||
Sardar | "Inky Pinky Ponky" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |||
2023 | Vaathi | "One Life" | GV Prakash Kumar | ||
Maamannan | "Manna Maamanna" | A. R. Rahman | |||
Jawan - Tamil dubbed | "Pattasa" | Anirudh Ravichander | |||
Jawan - Telugu dubbed | "Galatta" | Anirudh Ravichander | |||
2024 | Singappenney | "Ezhundhu Vaa" | Kumaran Sivamani | ||
"Kanne Yen Kaniyee" | |||||
Vadakupatti Ramasamy | "Paravuthu" | Sean Roldan | |||
Saloon | "Mayir Song" | Sam C. S. | |||
Singapore Saloon | "Vandha Mala" | Vivek-Mervin | |||
DeAr | "Sleeping Beauty" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |||
Indian 2 | "Come Back Indian" | Anirudh Ravichander | |||
Raayan | "Raayan Rumble" | A. R. Rahman | |||
Thangalaan | "War Song" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |||
"Thandora Pottanungo" | |||||
"Oppari Song" | |||||
Vettaiyan | "Hunter Vantaar" | Anirudh Ravichander | |||
Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam | "Golden Sparrow" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |||
Amaran | "Amara" "Por Veeran" (Azadi) | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
Year | TV series | Credited as | Song(s) | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singer | Lyricist | ||||
2021 | The Family Man | "Maaveerarukku Maranamila" | Season 2; composed by Sachin–Jigar | ||
2024 | Bigg Boss Season 8 | "BB Anthem" | |||
Year | Award | Category | Work | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Lyricist – Tamil | "Neeye Oli" | [17] |
Edison Awards 2022 | Best Tamil Rapper of the Year | — | [18] | |
News18 Magudam Awards 2022 | Arts and Culture | — | [19] | |
2023 | Vikatan Nambikkai Awards | Top Ten Youth | — | [20] |
An oppari is an ancient form of lamenting in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and North-Eastern Sri Lanka. Oppari is a folk song tradition and is often an admixture of eulogy and lament. The oppari is typically sung by a group of women relatives who came to pay respects to the departed in a death ceremony. It is a means to express one's own grief and also to share and assuage one's grief for the deceased. Many communities use the oppari to express their grief at a funeral. Sometimes professional oppari singers are recruited, but it is a dying practice.
Gaana is a genre of Tamil music, which is sung in the Madras Bashai dialect of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is rap-like "collection of rhythms, beats and sensibilities native to the Madras people." It evolved over the past two centuries, with influences ranging from the siddhars of ancient Tamilakam to rural Tamil folk music to Tamil sufi mystics. Its popularity rose when it was brought to the music of the mainstream Tamil film industry. Contemporary gaana bands are bringing the genre to new audiences while using it for social activism, especially against caste discrimination.
Coke Studio is an Indian music series that's part of the international franchise, Coke Studio. It features live studio recordings by various artists, showcasing a diverse range of music. This includes classical genres from the Indian subcontinent like Hindustani, Carnatic, Indian folk, alongside hip hop, rock, and pop music.
Dheekshitha Venkadeshan, known professionally as Dhee, is an Australian singer known for her work as a playback singer in Indian cinema. Born in Jaffna to Tamil parents, she was raised in Sydney. She is best known for her collaborations with her stepfather, Santhosh Narayanan, and her distinctive alto voice. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Singer for “Kaattu Payale”, from the 2020 film Soorarai Pottru.
Bjorn Surrao is an Indian singer-songwriter, performer, music producer and actor. He initially gained fame for his vocals in the song "Master the Blaster" from the Tamil film Master (2021). The track went on to #1 on iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify listings with over 32 million views on YouTube. Bjorn has an independent music band called "Franks got the Funk". After "Master the Blaster", Bjorn in collaboration with Arivu & Jigarthanda Music worked on a song for Think Music titled "Yenna Sonna" Chennai Super Kings Anthem. His acting gained widespread attention after his supporting comedy role in Doctor (2021). He also starred in Beast with Vijay.
The Casteless Collective is an Indian indie band based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The band was formed in 2017, with support from the Neelam Panpaatu Maiyam started by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith and filmmaker and film composer Tenma, founder of the label Madras Records.
Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu, also known simply as Gundu (transl. Bomb), is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Athiyan Athirai. The film stars Dinesh and Anandhi. Produced by Pa. Ranjith under his banner Neelam Productions, the film focuses on the fictional story, inspired from the true events from World War II. The film has cinematography handled by Kishore Kumar, while the music is composed by Tenma. Released on 6 December 2019, the film received critical acclaim from critics and audiences.
Rohith Abraham, known professionally as ofRo, is an Indian record producer, singer and songwriter who has worked with Asal Kolaar, Madan Gowri, Sandy, Santhosh Narayanan, Pradeep Kumar, Arivu, Durai, Tenma, ADK, Roshan Jamrock, Psychomantra, and Ben Human, among others. He is the co-founder of Atti Culture, a record label and production company & Madras Medai, a music festival and conference focusing on the growth of independent music in South India.
"Enjoy Enjaami" is a Tamil-language song recorded by singer Dhee featuring Indian rapper Arivu and Indian producer Santhosh Narayanan. It was written and sung by lyricist Arivu and Dhee, and composed and arranged by Narayanan under the music label/management Maajja, an independent platform launched by Indian producer A. R. Rahman. The song was released on 7 March 2021.
Therukural is a studio album composed by Arivu and OfRo, both members of The Casteless Collective. The band also produced the album, which highlights various political themes and was touted to be a hip-hop album with a social message. The album was released on 26 June 2019, and received positive response upon release.
Yanchan Rajmohan, known professionally as Yanchan Produced, is a Canadian-Tamil producer, songwriter, mixing engineer, and mridangist. Known for making beats with a South Asian twist, Rajmohan's release of solo and collaborative projects have garnered over 12 million streams on Spotify.
"Neeye Oli" is the 2021 Tamil song composed by Santhosh Narayanan and Shan Vincent de Paul, who also recorded the track along with Navz-47; with lyrics for the track being written by Arivu and Shan Vincent de Paul. It is the second release from the upcoming studio album Made in Jaffna curated by Shan which was under production for four years. It released on 30 June 2021 by the music label/management Maajja, an independent platform launched by A. R. Rahman. The song is used as the theme track for Pa. Ranjith-directorial Sarpatta Parambarai.
Coke Studio Bharat is an Indian music series that's part of the international franchise, Coke Studio. It features live studio recordings by various artists, showcasing a diverse range of music. This includes classical genres from India like Hindustani, Carnatic, Indian folk, alongside hip hop, rock, and pop music.
Coke Studio Tamil is an Indian music series that is part of the international franchise, Coke Studio. It features live studio recordings by various artists, showcasing a diverse range of music. This includes classical genres from Tamil Nadu, India, alongside hip hop, rock, and pop music.
Krithika Nelson is an Indian singer, songwriter, lyricist, Assistant Director and dubbing artist primarily known for her work in Tamil films.
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