Enjoy Enjaami was more than a viral song. It was the moment Tamil independent music reached the whole world, and its writer, Arivu, has spent his career using rap to tell stories that mainstream music ignores.
Arivu at a glance
Real name: Arivarasu Kalainesan
From: Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu
Known for: Enjoy Enjaami, Vaathi Raid, Neeye Oli
Groups: The Casteless Collective; leader of the band Ambassa
Albums: Therukural (2019), Valliamma Peraandi – Vol. 01 (2024)
Poet first
Arivu grew up in a family rooted in education and social service, hearing Tamil folk music, Ambedkarite songs and literacy campaign songs. At 18, he published a poetry collection, Kuninthi Varaverkum Kudisaigal. He studied engineering but was already writing songs.
The Casteless Collective
In 2017 he auditioned for The Casteless Collective, a Chennai band formed by director Pa. Ranjith that mixes gaana, folk, rock and rap to challenge caste discrimination. He became its main songwriter, with songs like Jaibhim Anthem and Quota Song, and wrote Urimayai Meetpom for Rajinikanth's Kaala.
Therukural
His 2019 album Therukural, meaning voice of the street, made with producer OfRo, included the politically charged songs Anti-Indian and Kalla Mouni. Rolling Stone India listed it among the 10 best Indian albums of 2019.
Enjoy Enjaami
Released in 2021 on the label Maajja and produced by Santhosh Narayanan, Enjoy Enjaami paired Arivu with singer Dhee. It passed 500 million YouTube views and was remixed by DJ Snake.
The song tells the story of Arivu's grandmother Valliyamma, a tea plantation labourer from Sri Lanka, and of Tamil landless workers and their bond with the land. Its mix of oppari, the Tamil lament, with modern rap is now seen as one of Arivu's trademarks.
Film songs
Arivu has written and performed for dozens of films, including:
1. Single Pasanga, Natpe Thunai
2. Vaathi Raid, Master (Anirudh Ravichander)
3. Neeye Oli, Sarpatta Parambarai, which won him Filmfare Best Lyricist (Tamil)
4. Golden Sparrow, Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam
5. Chikitu and Powerhouse, Coolie
6. Thalapathy Kacheri, Jana Nayagan (2026)
7. Verappa, Karuppu (2026). Read about Karuppu's soundtrack at https://mediamarvels.in/news/karuppu-soundtrack-arivu-paal-dabba-sai-abhyankkar.
Ambassa and Coke Studio
In 2022 he founded Ambassa, a 10-piece band that mixes rap and beatboxing with oppari and gaana. He co-curated Coke Studio Tamil's first season, where his song Sagavasi with Khatija Rahman became the season's most-watched track.
Arivu at RAP91 LIVE
Arivu is one of the headliners at Spotify's RAP91 LIVE in Mumbai on 24 October 2026. Lineup: https://mediamarvels.in/news/spotify-rap91-live-2026-mumbai-lineup-regional-rappers.
Arivu: FAQs
What is Arivu's real name?
Arivarasu Kalainesan.
Who wrote Enjoy Enjaami?
Arivu, who sang it with Dhee. Santhosh Narayanan produced it.
What is Enjoy Enjaami about?
Arivu's grandmother Valliyamma, a tea plantation worker, and the history of Tamil landless labourers.
What was Arivu's first album?
Therukural (2019), with OfRo.
Which Vijay song did Arivu sing?
Vaathi Raid from Master, and Thalapathy Kacheri from Jana Nayagan.
Writing songs with something to say? Get your music heard by listeners who care. Promote your music on Media Marvels at https://mediamarvels.in/promote.
Image: Elgin Talkies, a single-screen cinema. Photo via Wikimedia Commons, used under its free licence.
