The Chennai-based singer-rapper-lyricist Arivu was thrilled with overflowing appreciation coming his way for his latest song — Enjoy Enjaami, a collaboration with singer Dhee and composer Santhosh Narayanan.
What made Enjoy Enjaami so popular?
Many reasons contribute to its popularity. One of them being, its peppy blue swing to it. Its unstoppable beat is a fusion of oppari — a type of folk song, part-eulogy, part-lament, traditionally performed at funerals in Tamil Nadu — and elements of Afro-Caribbean music, and it’s sung in Tamil.
What meaning do the lyrics hold?
According to the lyricist Arivu, this song was inspired by the story of his grandmother Valliammal, a former tea plantation worker. The story was about the Tamil migration to Ceylon during the Colonial era. Having moved to Ceylon in the 1990s, Valliammal worked on tea and rubber plantations.
Over time, thousands of landless Tamil migrants like Valiammal were rendered jobless thereby asked to return to their country. Having to seek a low-paid job back in her country, thousands of Tamilians like Valliammal lived a life without any roots to embrace.
A politically loaded lyrics, this song is a celebration of nature, roots, ancestors, and all life forms, not just humans. Arivu clarifies this song is a tribute to his ancestors who belong to the marginalized communities — who are deprived of land.
Awesome Video Production:
The video, directed by Amith Krishnan, is symbolic as the main characters move from forests to fields and back. It ends with Valliammal, flanked by her people, seated as if on a throne.
In the context of the issue between the land rights and landless laborers, Arivu states that “It’s not about genetic pride, but the sweat and blood of the ancestors of the world. The context is universal. And it’s presented in a song that also combines different streams — rap, folk, and pop.”
Being her first video, Dhee, a Sri Lankan-Australian playback singer, has a reason why she agreed to do this song. She says ““I’m honored that this song can tell a part of Valliamma’s story.
We wanted it to celebrate nature, our roots, ancestors, and all life forms, not just humans. Arivu has written it with his whole heart. We’ve traveled with this song and lived with this song and everything that it represents.”
Well, if you haven’t enjoyed the Enjaami yet, it's high time you listen to it!
Written By - Daniel Deepak Charles
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