Arivu
Arivu | |
|---|---|
 Arivu performing with The Casteless Collective in Chennai | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Arivarasu Kalainesan |
| Born | India |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | |
| 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Therukural (2019)[6]
- Valliamma Peraandi - Vol. 01 (2024)
Singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Composer | Songwriter | Peak chart positions | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UKAsian[11] | |||||
| 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
[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" | |||
| Singapore Saloon | | | "Vandha Mala" | Vivek-Mervin | |
| Indian 2 | | | "Come Back Indian" | Anirudh Ravichander | |
| Raayan | | | "Raayan Rumble" | A. R. Rahman | |
| Vettaiyan | | | "Hunter Vantaar" | Anirudh Ravichander | |
| Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam | | | "Golden Sparrow" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
Television
[edit]| Year | TV series | Credited as | Song(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singer | Lyricist | ||||
| 2021 | The Family Man | | | "Maaveerarukku Maranamila" | Season 2; composed by Sachin–Jigar |
Awards
[edit]| 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
[edit]- ^ 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.