If you ask me my taste in music, then I’d say I love old Hindi songs and at the same time enjoy the range of music independent singers bring to the table. Their songs have a different feel and charm to them. In fact, one of my favourite independent singer-writer-rappers is Arivarasu Kalainesan, popularly known as Arivu. I was introduced to him when I was in Chennai and his Tamil song ‘Enjoy Enjaami’ is one of my all-time favourites. The song with vocals by Dhee has now crossed over 42 crore views on YouTube. However, it is the very song that has created a sort-of tiff. Why? Well, because a few days ago Dhee performed the song ‘Enjoy Enjaami’ live at the 44th Chess Olympiad, but Arivu was not present nor was he invited to the performance.
‘Enjoy Enjaami’ by Arivu was composed by Santosh Narayanan and backed by AR Rahman’s music label that promotes independent music – Maajja. The song was performed by Dhee at the opening ceremony of the 44th Chess Olympiad a few days ago however, the rapper wasn’t invited to the performance.
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In fact, after the ceremony, many fans of the rapper took to their social media and wondered out loud why Arivu was not a part of the performance with Dhee. To this, the singer-writer later reacted via a long post on his Instagram.
Sharing a picture of him from the song ‘Enjoy Enjaami’, Arivu wrote, “I “Composed”,” Written”,” sung”& “Performed” Enjoy Enjaami. Nobody gave me a Tune, Melody or a Single word to write this one. Spent almost 6 months of sleepless and stressful nights and days for everything it is right now. No doubt it’s a great team work. No doubt it calls everyone together. But it doesn’t mean that’s not the history of Valliammal or the landless Tea plantation slave ancestors of mine. Every song of mine will be having the scarmark of this generational oppression. Like this Just One..”
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Arivu continued, “There are 10000 songs of folk in this land. The Songs that carry the breath of ancestors,Their pain, Their Life, Love, Their Resistance and all about their existence. It’s all speaking to you in beautiful songs. Because we are a generation of blood and sweat turned into melodies of liberating arts. We carry the legacy through songs. Anyone can snatch away your treasure when You’re asleep. Never when you are awake. Jaibhim. Truth will always win in the end ?????”
In the original music video of ‘Enjoy Enjaami’ that is released by Maajja, it is Dhee who is named as the principal artist and has added Arivu as a collaborator. Needless to say, fans were really left disappointed when he was not given proper credit for the song. However, this is the first time he has come out and spoken about it.