Arivu

Arivu
Arivu
	Arivu performing with The Casteless Collective in Chennai
Background information
Birth name	Arivarasu Kalainesan
Born	India
Genres	Hip Hop; Folk; Gaana; Oppari; Pop; Rock; Reggae;
Occupations	Composer; Rapper; Singer; Songwriter;
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, including "Enjoy Enjaami", and for his work on film numbers like "Vaathi Raid" from Master (2021), "Single Pasanga" from Natpe Thunai (2019), and "Neeye Oli" from Sarpatta Parambarai (2021).

Career

In 2017, Arivu auditioned and became a part of The Casteless Collective, a band of musicians brought together by film director Pa. Ranjith.^[1] Arivu rose to prominence as a songwriter and rapper through his work with the group, including "Jaibhim Anthem" and "Quota Song".^[2] His independent singles and contributions to songs for the band led Arivu to gain recognition for his powerful music and his ability to draw on multiple storytelling traditions to create a "potent fusion".^[3]

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".^[4] Therukural received positive reviews and was featured in Rolling Stone India as one of the top ten Indian albums in 2019.^[5]^[6] "Anti-Indian" was described as a "politically conscious hip-hop song" by Rolling Stone India.^[7] His music has won him praise "from commoners and musicians alike"^[8] and he has been described as top of the list of people who can to "use the power of music to move the public".^[9]

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.^[10]

Ambassa

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 as such oppari and gaana.^[10] Ambassa is a colloquial term in Tamil for 50 paisa.^[9]

Discography

Albums

Therukural (2019)^[6]
Valliamma Peraandi - Vol. 01 (2024)

Singles

Year	Title	Composer	Songwriter	Peak chart positions	Ref.
Year	Title	Composer	Songwriter	UKAsian^[11]	Ref.
2020	Monkeys with 5G	Arivu	Arivu	—	^[12]
2021	Don't Touch Me	Yuvan Shankar Raja	Arivu	—	^[13]
2021	Enjoy Enjaami	Santhosh Narayanan, Arivu	Arivu	5	^[14]
2024	Flag Anthem	Thaman S	Vivek	—	^[15]

Films

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

Television

Year	TV series	Credited as		Song(s)	Notes
Year	TV series	Singer	Lyricist	Song(s)	Notes
2021	The Family Man	Y	N	"Maaveerarukku Maranamila"	Season 2; composed by Sachin–Jigar

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Work	Ref.
2022	Filmfare Awards South	Best Lyricist – Tamil	"Neeye Oli"	^[16]
	Edison Awards 2022	Best Tamil Rapper of the Year	—	^[17]
	News18 Magudam Awards 2022	Arts and Culture	—	^[18]
2023	Vikatan Nambikkai Awards	Top Ten Youth	—	^[19]

References

^ Malhi, Simrit (6 September 2019). "GQ spoke to the millennials who are determined to change the way we think about caste". GQ India. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
^ "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. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
^ 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.
^ Xalxo, Anurag Tagat David Britto and Jessica (31 December 2019). "10 Best Indian Albums of 2019". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
^ ^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.
^ 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.
^ ^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.
^ ^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.
^
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
^ https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-tamil-actor-vijay-releases-epic-party-flag-anthem-of-tamizhaga-vetri-kazhagam-752227
^ "Winners Of The Filmfare Awards South 2022 - Tamil". filmfare.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
^ "Edison Awards 2022".
^ Magudam Awards 2022 | அடித்தட்டு மக்கள் படும்பாட்டை பாட்டால் சொல்லும் பாட்டுக்காரன் Therukural Arivu. 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.

External links

Arivu at IMDb

[GQIndia-1] Malhi, Simrit (6 September 2019). "GQ spoke to the millennials who are determined to change the way we think about caste". GQ India. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2024.

[Vice2019-2] "The Casteless Collective Is Breaking Caste Boundaries With Its Music". Vice. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2024.

[3] 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.

[Hindu2021-4] 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.

[RSIndia-5] Xalxo, Anurag Tagat David Britto and Jessica (31 December 2019). "10 Best Indian Albums of 2019". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

[NewsMinute-6] 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.

[7] Tagat, Anurag (24 April 2019). "5 New Politically Conscious Hip-Hop Songs Out This Election Season". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

[EconomicTimes2019-8] Seetharaman, G. (21 July 2019). "Rapping truth to power: Arivu pulls no punches in his album 'Therukural'". The Economic Times.

[Homegrown2022-9] Sunil, Samyukhtha (24 May 2022). "Arivu's New Band 'Ambassa' Explores The Rich Heritage & Lore Of Tamil Culture". Homegrown. Retrieved 4 May 2024.

[UCSC-10] 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.

[11] Singles on UK Asian Music Chart:
"Enjoy Enjaami": "Asian Music Chart Top 40: 26 March 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

[12] "Enjoy Enjaami": "Asian Music Chart Top 40: 26 March 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 April 2021.

[12] "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.

[13] "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.

[:1-14] Dhee ft. Arivu - Enjoy Enjaami (Prod. Santhosh Narayanan), 6 March 2021, retrieved 7 March 2021

[15] ttps://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-tamil-actor-vijay-releases-epic-party-flag-anthem-of-tamizhaga-vetri-kazhagam-752227

[16] "Winners Of The Filmfare Awards South 2022 - Tamil". filmfare.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

[17] "Edison Awards 2022".

[18] Magudam Awards 2022 | அடித்தட்டு மக்கள் படும்பாட்டை பாட்டால் சொல்லும் பாட்டுக்காரன் Therukural Arivu. Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.

[19] Vikatan Awards | வடிவேலு நடிச்சாதான் மாமன்னன் செய்றதுன்னு உறுதியா இருந்தேன் - மாரி செல்வராஜ். Retrieved 5 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.

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