From poetry to rap, Arivu is here to stay

Some months back I interviewed Arivu after I happen to come across his tamil rap and couldn't wait to speak with him more about his music.  I am putting it here because I really want you all to listen what he has to say.

Grew up in Arakkonam this poet turned rapper Arivu is set to bring the street music to the stage. 'Kallamouni' was the first song I heard I came across and it just blew me off. Kalla Mouni is a sarcastic take on this section of ‘woke’ India who just dip their toes in social movements and protests for the sake of a ‘trend’ and move on without really doing anything for the cause. This was also my first introduction to rap in regional language and I wanted to talk more about the art from the artist himself. Here’s we talked about-

1. How did your inclination towards rap happened? Tell us some of your favourite rappers? 

Arivu- I had no access to rap music till the second year of my college. I used to write poetry about loneliness, caste inequalities and poverty and used to recite in school level competitions like a routine school kid. After entering college I started performing poems on stage when one day some of my friends suggested that I should try out rap. I was not allowed to sing my songs so I used to rap small bits of my longer pieces between the songs. The first rapper I heard was Yogi B who introduced me to multilinguality of the art form. I grew up reading a variety of political thinkers and protest songs that really shaped my style.

2. Art is an extension of self. What made you decide themes of your compositions?

Arivu- I think my art shaped itself. While growing up I did not have a lifestyle that revolved around parties and hence it did not translated into my music. I saw only the village folk artists in my town. Oppari traditions was something I grew up listening to. It is funeral music which is part performance-poetry and part song, this form celebrates both the public and personal anecdotes from a person’s life. These songs successfully communicate grievances up the caste hierarchy, and reach the ears of wrong-doers of higher castes. Such grievances are often not explicit, but rather implicit, suggested through metaphors spun out in the performance. Grief which is something intimate and personal transforms into publicly voiced cries in this artform. 

When I studied about hip hop I understood it originated as a counter narrative to the popular voices. It was dissent music in its originality. So when we see adaptation of rap in other spaces we need to remember that by just copying the attire would not cut it. If your art is afraid to question the system when it’s necessary, it is not democratic thus failing the basic essence of creating art. Entertainment is the secondary purpose of rap, the first is to amplify the grassroot voices. My roots are people from streets, people in the farms and working class population and my music is just an extension of all of these truths from my life.

3. In an atmosphere of strict censorship and backlash how do you navigate your choice and fear? 

Arivu- I think all of us are entitled to put out our perspectives. In one of my songs Anti Indian, the lyrics  ‘Yenna naan unakku,Anti Indian ah? Yenna vote-u potta,Pacchai thamizhan naan,Yenna naan unakku,Anti Indian ah?’ ask question to the system that continues to divide us on the basis of caste,race, religion, education and what not. No one wants to be a sacrifice. But often we corner our hurt and join the system in hope of our voices being heard. When we vote we put our trust in our leaders so when they misuse it we as voting citizens of the country has full right to reclaim our voice. True Indian will ask questions and we will unite in times of hate and violence. 

Who will tell our stories if we are afraid of voicing it ourselves? We are much more than a vote. Our pain is not meant to be silenced even if it comes at a price. Giving handouts to us won’t cut it now. We will rightfully demand what has been ours.This nation is built on the backs of the people who are constantly marginalized and unheard. They have risen up now. 

4. When did you write your first rap and what thought or incident made you write that?

Arivu- My first rap song was ‘Kalaimagal’ meaning artist. The song is about an artist who comes from nothing and that’s why he appreciates everything. When I started writing this I just let all my angst pour over the paper in the form of a poem. I am not a metaphor friendly person. My poems translate into rap and directly reach out to the audience. Peoplehave asked me to avoid being political but I just want to be honest with my heart. I communicate through rap: all of it be it jokes, tears or anger, I want every part to be real. Truth us the ultimate chase for me.

5. Your latest composition 'Sanda Seivom' mentions a strong solidarity to anti CAA NRC protests happening all across the country. How do you see protest culture taking shape in India? How far do you see we can shape change through mass protests?

Arivu: Every revolution has started with art. An artist is the first person that reflects the political climate of a nation. Even the upanishads, vedas and the texts that we tend to bring up in our debates and discussion are literary art. Their art created a hierarchy in the society that reflects the power of art and the great responsibility we have as artists. Art is what decides the future of the society, it’s a transformational tool. India is a democratic secular nation still religion forms the core of our most important debates that hints towards intolerant tendencies. Current scenario is hellbent on polarising society religiously but we need to understand India is not just a mere one nation but a union of states. There are different religions, castes, cultures all collectively making India what it is. Acceptance and upholding humanity is the only way for India. My song is my statement which is to say we all are immigrants to this world, no one can question us on where we come from. Our citizenship is more than our documents. 

My song is also personal going back to the debate in Tamil Nadu over Dravidian vs. Tamilian based on differences in linguistic identities. It all comes down to raising voice against every form of injustice. Witnessing solidarity in such unique forms is what gives me hope of a better and an equal future.

6. You also mention references from Ambedkar's text in your music. Have you read any of the Ambedkar texts that moved you? How do you think his words are still valid in contemporary India? Do you believe we don't give as much space for his ideas to survive as we have done for other leaders of pre independent India?

Arivu: When I was growing up I used to cross this tall Ambedkar statue near my home. I used to admire him just by his image with the book and wanted to become like him. Basic thing which ambedkar says is ‘reclaiming the human dignity’. Humanity is the only permanent thing in this world and we have to treat everyone equal. Every story needs to be heard. There are stories of oppression deep rooted in stories of Indians. These protests redefine Ambedkar ideas. They create space for these stories.Ambedkar predicted the dangerous future and it’s important to revise him more than ever. His ideas are relevant because the problems of disrimination he brought to light during his life still remain a reality while the answers are yet to be received. 

7. How do you see caste in today's India? Any personal anecdotes you would like to share?

Arivu: Caste is everywhere in India. People get access and are denied based on the caste. Where I grew up, people strictly follow caste system. I was called casteist and racist slurs. Lot of incidents happened with me due to religious and caste hierarchy. I used to feel very broken and inferior as a child. Most of my mornings would begin with racists slurs being hurled at me and most of my school days were spent in anger and sorrow. On most days, I cried in front of my parents not wanting to go to school but I didn’t know how to fight back. Right now I fight my earlier battles through my art. I want to convey to this generation this is not an equal society. No two stories are the same and they both exist. So many students from marginalized communities reach up to higher levels of education without knowing how to deal with discrimination. Our schools need to sensitize kids about caste from a young age so that they know how to fight back and moreover to help support each other better. 

I learnt about oppression the hard way. When I was bullied at school, teachers would usually exempt kids who came from richer backgrounds or higher castes and punished me even after no fault of mine. I was continuously discriminated against for my identity that slowly educated me about caste. 

8. Hindi rap culture is still very prominent. How do you see Tamil rap scene unfolding? With less role models for South Indian rap scene, please share with us your creative process of becoming one of your own kind? Your thoughts on how the audience perceives Hindi Rap versus Rap in other languages. 

Arivu: I am still very new to the south indian rap scene. The politics of rap is actually the politics of people. Hip Hop culture can be appropriative if we are not conscious. In Tamil Nadu we have so many topics to talk about in rap. I believe we should stand first for the oppressed community only then we can say we are doing justice to the rap as an artform. We need to understand that rap needs to be a more grassroot and inclusive artform. Rap did not born out of comfort but on the streets. 

I don’t think we should reserve rap as an elitist artform but open the platform to new voices. Our job as an artist is to put our content out and trust our audience.Following this thought, every weekend I make it a point to engage with the local independent artists at different public parks in Chennai. It started with putting up a post on social media calling out to people for a group jamming session. I named it  ‘therukural’ that is also my instagram handle translating to ‘the voice of the streets’. Around 50-80 artists turn up and we sing together about social issues. If art is created for people, I believe artists should be available for people too. I am planning to organize these gatherings all across Tamil Nadu.

9. How do you feel about the recognition? Do you feel more confident about voicing concerns that are closer to your heart?Any future projects we can look forward to?

Arivu- This recognition matters a lot. We grow up in a culture where political opinions are not encouraged. When I started out everyone discouraged me and pushed me to opt for more commercially feasible career. But now I feel at peace with myself. Gradually people started knowing me and they also started speaking up for me. 

With ‘Sanda Seivom’ being recorded at my home without fancy equipment, we certainly did not expect it to go viral. I started writing because I wanted to tell my story, to create a discussion so when people respond to my art now, I feel heard.

“I am here to entertain you but at the same time you cannot avoid my story”

Picture credit: Homegrown