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Arivu

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Arivu
Arivu performing with The Casteless Collective in Chennai
Arivu performing with The Casteless Collective in Chennai
Background information
Birth nameArivarasu Kalainesan
BornIndia
Genres
Occupations
Years active2017–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. 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.

Early Life

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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.

Career

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Casteless Collective (2017-)

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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]

Writing for Cinema (2018-)

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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.

Therukural: Debut Album (2019)

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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]

Breakthrough with Enjoy Enjaami (2021)

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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 as Curator of Coke Studio Tamil Season 1

Arivu & The Ambassa Band (2022-)

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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]

Coke Studio Tamil Season 1: Curator

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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]

Discography

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Albums

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Singles

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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]
2022 "Candy" Yuvan Shankar Raja [16][17]
2024 "TVK Ideology Song" Arivu [18]

Films

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Year Film Credited as Song(s) Composer
Singer Lyricist
2018 Kaala Red XN Green tickY "Urimayai Meetpom" Santhosh Narayanan
Vada Chennai Green tickY Green tickY "Maathiya Seraiyile"
"Patta Patti"
2019 Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven Red XN Green tickY "Red Cardu"
"Modern Muniyamma"
Hiphop Tamizha
Natpe Thunai Green tickY Green tickY "Single Pasanga"
"Veedhikor Jaadhi"
Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu Green tickY Red XN "Nilamellam" Tenma
Red XN Green tickY "Thalaimurai"
2020 Pattas Green tickY Green tickY "Mavane" Vivek-Mervin
Dagaalty Green tickY Green tickY "Dagaalty Naa!" Vijay Narain
Naadodigal 2 Green tickY Green tickY "Varungaalam Engaladhu" Justin Prabhakaran
Naan Sirithal Red XN Green tickY "Happy Birthday" Hiphop Tamizha
College Kumar Red XN Green tickY "College Kumar"
"Baari Baari"
Qutub-E-Kripa
Gypsy Green tickY Green tickY "Theevira Vyaadhi" Santhosh Narayanan
Soorarai Pottru Red XN Green tickY "Maara Theme" G. V. Prakash Kumar
Tughlaq Durbar Green tickY Red XN "Annathe Sethi" Govind Vasantha
Master Green tickY Green tickY "Vathi Raid" Anirudh Ravichander
2021 Mandela Green tickY Green tickY "Yela Yelo" Bharath Sankar
Jagame Thandhiram Green tickY Green tickY "Theengu Thaakka"
"Naan Dhaan Da Mass"
Santhosh Narayanan
Sarpatta Parambarai Green tickY Green tickY "Neeye Oli"
"Neeye Oli" (Film Version)
Aranmanai 3 Green tickY Green tickY "Ratatapata" C. Sathya
Jai Bhim Green tickY Green tickY "Power" Sean Roldan
Jail Red XN Green tickY "Pathu Kaasu" G. V. Prakash Kumar
Green tickY Green tickY "Nagarodi"
Enemy Red XN Green tickY "Pathala" S. Thaman
Green tickY Green tickY "Little India"
Red XN Green tickY "Orey Naan Orey Nee" Sam C. S.
Annaatthe Green tickY Green tickY "A for Annaatthe" D. Imman
Maanaadu Green tickY Green tickY "Voice of Unity" Yuvan Shankar Raja
Enna Solla Pogirai Red XN Green tickY "Cute Ponnu" Vivek-Mervin
2022 Valimai Green tickY Green tickY "The Intense of Fire - Theme" Yuvan Shankar Raja
Maaran Green tickY Red XN "Polladha Ulagam" G. V. Prakash Kumar
Yaanai Green tickY Green tickY "Bodhaiya Vittu Vaale"
Selfie Green tickY Green tickY "Oorkaran"
Red XN Green tickY "Imaikkariye"
Green tickY Green tickY "Badass Bossman"
Green tickY Green tickY "Padippu Thevaillai"
Green tickY Green tickY "Yedakoodam"
Prince Green tickY Green tickY "Who Am I?" Thaman S
Red XN Green tickY "Jessica"
Captain Green tickY Green tickY "Akkrinai Naan" D. Imman
Sardar Green tickY Green tickY "Inky Pinky Ponky" G. V. Prakash Kumar
2023 Vaathi Green tickY Green tickY "One Life" GV Prakash Kumar
Maamannan Green tickY Green tickY "Manna Maamanna" A. R. Rahman
Jawan - Tamil dubbed Green tickY Green tickY "Pattasa" Anirudh Ravichander
Jawan - Telugu dubbed Green tickY Green tickY "Galatta" Anirudh Ravichander
2024 Singappenney Green tickY Red XN "Ezhundhu Vaa" Kumaran Sivamani
Green tickY Green tickY "Kanne Yen Kaniyee"
Vadakupatti Ramasamy Red XN Green tickY "Paravuthu" Sean Roldan
Saloon Green tickY Green tickY "Mayir Song" Sam C. S.
Singapore Saloon Green tickY Green tickY "Vandha Mala"
Vivek-Mervin
DeAr Green tickY Green tickY "Sleeping Beauty" G. V. Prakash Kumar
Indian 2 Red XN Green tickY "Come Back Indian"
Anirudh Ravichander
Raayan Green tickY Green tickY "Raayan Rumble"
A. R. Rahman
Thangalaan Green tickY Green tickY "War Song" G. V. Prakash Kumar
Green tickY Red XN "Thandora Pottanungo"
Red XN Green tickY "Oppari Song"
Vettaiyan Red XN Green tickY "Hunter Vantaar"
Anirudh Ravichander
Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam Green tickY Green tickY "Golden Sparrow"
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Amaran Green tickY Green tickY "Amara"

"Por Veeran" (Azadi)

G. V. Prakash Kumar

Television

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Year TV series Credited as Song(s) Notes
Singer Lyricist
2021 The Family Man Green tickY Red XN "Maaveerarukku Maranamila" Season 2;
composed by Sachin–Jigar
2024 Bigg Boss Season 8 Green tickY Green tickY "BB Anthem"

Awards

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Year Award Category Work Ref.
2022 Filmfare Awards South Best Lyricist – Tamil "Neeye Oli" [19]
Edison Awards 2022 Best Tamil Rapper of the Year [20]
News18 Magudam Awards 2022 Arts and Culture [21]
2023 Vikatan Nambikkai Awards Top Ten Youth [22]

References

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  1. ^ "The Casteless Collective Is Breaking Caste Boundaries With Its Music". Vice. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  2. ^ 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. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  3. ^ Tagat, Anurag (2 August 2019). "Speaking truth to power with Arivu and ofRO". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  4. ^ Xalxo, Anurag Tagat David Britto and Jessica (31 December 2019). "10 Best Indian Albums of 2019". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b Shekar, Anjana (27 June 2019). "'Therukural' by Arivu-ofRO is a brilliant Tamil hiphop album". The NEWS Minute. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  6. ^ Tagat, Anurag (24 April 2019). "5 New Politically Conscious Hip-Hop Songs Out This Election Season". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  7. ^ Seetharaman, G. (21 July 2019). "Rapping truth to power: Arivu pulls no punches in his album 'Therukural'". The Economic Times.
  8. ^ a b Sunil, Samyukhtha (24 May 2022). "Arivu's New Band 'Ambassa' Explores The Rich Heritage & Lore Of Tamil Culture". Homegrown. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b White, Dan (15 September 2023). "Arivu, the massively popular and groundbreaking Indian rapper, will play an intimate outdoor show at UCSC's Quarry Amphitheater, presented by the Center For South Asian Studies". UCSC Newscenter. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  10. ^ Coke Studio Tamil (10 April 2024). Coke Studio Tamil | Thamizh Vaazhthu | Arivu & Ambassa Band. Retrieved 14 November 2024 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  12. ^ Singles on UK Asian Music Chart:
  13. ^ "Arivu and Madan Gowri's 'Monkeys with 5G' talks of modern discrimination". The news minute. 13 May 2020. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Dhee ft. Arivu - Enjoy Enjaami (Prod. Santhosh Narayanan), 6 March 2021, retrieved 7 March 2021
  16. ^ "Yuvan Shankar Raja and Dhvani Bhanushali's new Hindi track 'Candy' released". The Times of India. 3 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  17. ^ Candy - Music Video (Tamil) | Yuvan Shankar Raja, Dhvani Bhanushali, Arivu, Amith K, Vinod B. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2024 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (27 October 2024). Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam: Ideology Song | தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகம்: கொள்கைப் பாடல். Retrieved 13 November 2024 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "Winners Of The Filmfare Awards South 2022 - Tamil". filmfare.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Edison Awards 2022".
  21. ^ Magudam Awards 2022 | அடித்தட்டு மக்கள் படும்பாட்டை பாட்டால் சொல்லும் பாட்டுக்காரன் Therukural Arivu. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  22. ^ Vikatan Awards | வடிவேலு நடிச்சாதான் மாமன்னன் செய்றதுன்னு உறுதியா இருந்தேன் - மாரி செல்வராஜ். Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
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