Arivu | |
Birth Name: | Arivarasu Kalainesan |
Birth Place: | India |
Years Active: | 2017present |
Current 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 numbers like "Vathi Raid" from Master (2020), "Single Pasanga" from Natpe Thunai (2019), and "Neeye Oli" from Sarpatta Parambarai (2021).
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]
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]
Year | Title | Composer | Songwriter | Peak chartpositions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Year | Film | Credited as | Song(s) | Composer | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singer | width=65 | 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 |
Year | TV series | Credited as | Song(s) | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singer | width=65 | Lyricist | |||
2021 | The Family Man (season 2) | "Maaveerarukku Maranamila" | Composed by Sachin–Jigar | ||