Arivu
Arivu | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Arivarasu Kalainesan |
| Born | India |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Members | Arivu & The Ambassa |
Arivarasu Kalainesan, more commonly known as Arivu, is an Indian composer, rapper, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his independent singles like Enjoy Enjaami, Sanda Seivom, Kalla Mouni and for film hit numbers like "Vathi Raid" from Master (2020), "Single Pasanga" from Natpe Thunai (2019), and "Neeye Oli" from Sarpatta Parambarai (2021).
Career[edit]
In 2017, Arivu auditioned and became a part of the The Casteless Collective band, an initiative by film director Pa Ranjith. Arivu rose to prominence as a songwriter and rapper through his electrifying singles, such as the Jaibhim Anthem and Quota song.[1] His independent singles and contributions to numerous hit songs for the band led Arivu to gain recognition for his socially conscious lyrics and ferocious delivery.[2]
Arivu’s debut solo album, "Therukural" (Voice of the Street), produced by Ofro released in 2019, received widespread acclaim for its powerful messages and innovative fusion of hip-hop with traditional Tamil folk music elements. Bangers like Anti-Indian and Kalla Mouni captured the political imagination of the youth and spoke truth to power. Arivu's lyrics are known for their poignant storytelling and thought-provoking narratives, earning him a dedicated fan base not only in Tamil Nadu but also across India and beyond.[3][4][5][6]
Alongside his journey as an independent musician, Arivu went on to become one of the most sought after rappers and songwriters in the South Indian movie industry. At 24, Arivu became the youngest ever songwriter to pen lyrics for Superstar Rajnikanth in Director Pa Ranjith’s Kaala (2018). Arivu broke the 100-million mark on Youtube through Single Pasanga song for Natpe Thunai (2019). Vathi Raid from Master (2020) is considered one of the fastest Tamil rap song showcasing Arivu's expert rapping abilities. Arivu collaborated with the legendary 2x Oscar winning Music director AR Rahman for Maamannan (2023). He has since made several independent songs in addition to composing songs for Tamil-language films.
Arivu’s single Enjoy Enjaami in collaboration with playback singer Dhee and music director Santhosh Narayanan, broke the glass ceiling for Tamil independent Music by garnering more than 490 million views on Youtube. His contribution of fusing the traditional genre of Oppari with modern rap in his writing and delivery is applauded as one of his authentic trademarks. In Enjoy Enjaami, Arivu explores the complex history of his grandma Valliyamma, an immigrant tea-plantation labourer from Sri Lanka. Later, for the occasion of World Music Day, Enjoy Enjaami was remixed by DJ snake for Spotify Singles.
In August 2021, Rolling Stone India heralded Arivu as ‘the voice of socio-political hip-hop, smashing records and defying social norms’ and featured him in its digital cover.[7]
Arivu collaborated with 3x Grammy winner Ricky Kej for an electrifying single, Kaadu, for Bhoomi 2021 Project curated by the legendary musical duo Salim Sulaiman. "Kaadu" is a high energy anthem dedicated to the importance of forests. A seamless blend of Rap, Tamil folk, Marathi percussion and electronica, Kadu also features vocals by Kannada film composer Charan Raj and flute by virtuoso musician Rasika Shekar. Kaadu is a timely reminder, that we as human beings depend on the forests for our sustenance, and co-existing with all life is key to our survival.
In 2023, Arivu is designated as the curator for Coke Studio Tamil Season 1 along with Sean Roland. He wrote and performed the single Sagavasi along with Khatija Rahman, which become the most listened song of the season with 22 million Youtube views.
Arivu & The Ambassa[edit]
Parallel to this, Arivu also leads the 10-piece band Ambassa, founded in 2022 is touring across India and abroad. Ambassa is a colloquial term in Tamil for 50 paise. Arivu and the crew intend to produce music that endorses brotherhood, power, and the strength that lies in unity.[8] On October 7, 2023, Arivu & The Ambassa performed a show title "Ambassa in America" for the University of California, Santa Cruz in the USA.[9] Arivu & The Ambassa’s debut song Tamizh Vazhthu was premiered on Coke Studio Tamil Season 2. Apart from his music career, Arivu is also actively involved in social activism, using his platform to advocate for social change. He continues to be a prominent voice in the Indian hip-hop scene, inspiring listeners with his passionate delivery and commitment to addressing pressing social issues through his art.
Discography[edit]
Singles[edit]
| Year | Title | Composer | Album | Peak chart
positions |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UKAsian[10] | |||||
| 2019 | Therukural | [11] | |||
| 2020 | Monkeys with 5G | [12] | |||
| 2021 | Don't Touch Me | Yuvan Shankar Raja | [13] | ||
| 2021 | Enjoy Enjaami
(feat. Dhee, produced by Santhosh Narayanan) |
Santhosh Narayanan | Non-album single | 5 | [14] |
Albums[edit]
- Therukural (2019)[15]
Films[edit]
| 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" | |||
Television[edit]
| Year | TV series | Credited as | Song(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singer | Lyricist | ||||
| 2021 | The Family Man (season 2) | |
|
"Maaveerarukku Maranamila" | Composed by Sachin–Jigar |
References[edit]
- ^ "The Casteless Collective Is Breaking Caste Boundaries With Its Music". Vice. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Sriram, Jayant (15 March 2019). "Ground Zero | How Chennai's Casteless Collective uses music to talk about social and political issues". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Seetharaman, G. (21 July 2019). "Rapping truth to power: Arivu pulls no punches in his album 'Therukural'". The Economic Times.
- ^ Tagat, Anurag (2 August 2019). "Speaking truth to power with Arivu and ofRO". The Hindu.
- ^ "Meet Arivu, Who Wants to Take Rap in India Back to Its Political Roots". The Wire.
- ^ "Arivu: Independent art will be an alarm for the society". Cinema Express.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Sunil, Samyukhtha (24 May 2022). "Arivu's New Band 'Ambassa' Explores The Rich Heritage & Lore Of Tamil Culture". Homegrown. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Ambassa in America featuring Arivu | CSAS". csas.ucsc.edu. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Singles on UK Asian Music Chart:
- "Enjoy Enjaami": "Asian Music Chart Top 40: 26 March 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- ^ "கோ கொரோனா கோ! கோஷம் போட்டா குறையுமோ? தெறிக்கவிடும் தெருக்குரல் அறிவு! [Ko Corona Ko! Will it decrease with noise? Therukural Arivu explains!]". Indian Express. 10 April 2020.
- ^ "Arivu and Madan Gowri's 'Monkeys with 5G' talks of modern discrimination". The news minute. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "Yuvan's independent single with Arivu and Yunohoo to be released on June 26". The Times of India. 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Dhee ft. Arivu - Enjoy Enjaami (Prod. Santhosh Narayanan), retrieved 7 March 2021
- ^ Shekar, Anjana. "'Therukural' by Arivu-ofRO is a brilliant Tamil hiphop album". The news minute. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.