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 numbers like "Vathi Raid" from Master (2020), "Single Pasanga" from Natpe Thunai (2019), and "Neeye Oli" from Sarpatta Parambarai (2021).
Arivu | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Arivarasu Kalainesan |
| Born | India |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Members | Arivu & The Ambassa |
Career
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2024) |
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 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. Therukural received reviews and was featured in Rolling Stone India as one of the top ten Indian albums in 2019.[3] The anti-Indian song was picked up by Rolling Stone India as one of the "politically conscious hip-hop songs" out there.[4] 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.[5][6][7][8]
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.[9]
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.[10] On October 7, 2023, Arivu & The Ambassa performed a show title "Ambassa in America" for the University of California, Santa Cruz in the USA.[11]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Therukural (2019)[12]
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Composer | Songwriter | Peak chart
positions |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UKAsian[13] | |||||
| 2020 | Monkeys with 5G | Arivu | Arivu | [14] | |
| 2021 | Don't Touch Me | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Arivu | [15] | |
| 2021 | Enjoy Enjaami | Santhosh Narayanan, Arivu | Arivu | 5 | [16] |
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 |
Awards
edit- Blacksheep Voice Awards 2024 Revolutionary Voice Award [17]
- Vikatan Nambikkai Awards 2023 Top Ten Youth [18]
- Filmfare Award 2022 Best Lyricist Tamil for Neeye Oli [19]
- Behindwoods Gold Medals 2022 Golden Voice of the Future – Tamil [20]
- Galatta Crown Awards 2022 Best independent Lyricist for Enjoy Enjaami [21]
- Blacksheep Digital Awards 2022 Sensational Song of the Year – Enjoy Enjaami [22]
- Edison Awards 2022 - Best Tamil Rapper of the Year [23]
- News18 Magudam Awards 2022 for Arts and Culture [24]
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.
- ^ Xalxo, Anurag Tagat David Britto and Jessica (31 December 2019). "10 Best Indian Albums of 2019". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ Tagat, Anurag (24 April 2019). "5 New Politically Conscious Hip-Hop Songs Out This Election Season". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 5 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. 29 March 2020.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 4 May 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Shekar, Anjana (27 June 2019). "'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.
- ^ Singles on UK Asian Music Chart:
- "Enjoy Enjaami": "Asian Music Chart Top 40: 26 March 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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), 6 March 2021, retrieved 7 March 2021
- ^ முன்னோர்களின் கனவு குரல் தான் நாம் | Arivu | Blacksheep Voice Awards 2024 🎙️. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Vikatan Awards | வடிவேலு நடிச்சாதான் மாமன்னன் செய்றதுன்னு உறுதியா இருந்தேன் - மாரி செல்வராஜ். Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Winners Of The Filmfare Awards South 2022 - Tamil". filmfare.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ Arivu's Thirai Thee Pidikkum Performance🔥Dheena & Priyanka Marana Kuthu Dance🤩Yogi babu Laughs🤣. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ 🤩Stunned : Arivu Energetic "Enjoy Enjaami" Performance 🔥 Dhee | Anirudh | Galatta Awards 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ @AttiCulture ஓட அடுத்த பாட்டு..! | Blacksheep Digital Awards 2022 | Blacksheep. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Edison Awards 2022".
- ^ Magudam Awards 2022 | அடித்தட்டு மக்கள் படும்பாட்டை பாட்டால் சொல்லும் பாட்டுக்காரன் Therukural Arivu. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.