The Tamil song Enjoy Enjaami was a widely popular chartbuster released in 2021. A year after its release, the makers of the song got into a credit row. Now, four years later, the controversy has resurfaced. On Friday, a war of words over the credit erupted between rapper Arivu and music director Santhosh Narayanan.
How the credit war resurfaced after 4 years
It all started with a social media user sharing the song on platform X and commenting on how the Tamil indie track had broken borders, gone global, and ruled the world during the lockdown. Responding to this post, another user alleged that “Dhee and her dad literally went ahead and stole this song from Arivu anna.”
The reply caught the attention of music director Santhosh Narayanan, who responded strongly to the person who had levelled the allegation against singer Dhee.
Quoting the allegation post, Santhosh Narayanan wrote on Friday, “Konjam rest edunga thambi (Take some rest, younger brother). Some useful information is already available everywhere if you only look for it. This song idea was conceived by Dhee and also has some of her tunes in it. The core storyline and concept of the song were done by director Manikandan, who was working on ‘Kadaisi Vivasayi’ with me at the time. I composed, produced, and created all the melodies in the song. Arivu wrote almost all the words and also performed. Some traditional Oppari lines were also adapted by Arivu. I only suggested the word ‘Enjaami’, like I always suggest words for most of my songs such as Rakita, Kanimaa, etc. Thankfully, we live in a digital domain where every claim can and should be proven.”
Arivu claims he received no royalty for the song
Following Narayanan`s post, rapper Arivu issued a clarification on the row. Arivu wrote, “For clarity regarding ‘Enjoy Enjaami’ (released five years ago): The beat was sent to me. I wrote the lyrics, composed the main vocal melody, and performed the song based on my own cultural history and lived experience. Music is collaborative, but credit and compensation must also be fair. The song was shot in my village, with stories from my land and my people. I shared that history believing it would reach the masses. But I was placed only as a ‘featuring artist’ — despite writing the full song and composing the main melody.”
Arivu further said, “Back then I did not understand what that meant. Five years later, the collaborators hold the rights and receive royalties, while I received no payment and no ownership for my work. This is not about sympathy. It is about credit, rights, and the dignity of labour. Independent artists: protect your work. Have agreements. Know your rights. — Arivu Valliamma Perandi.”
Santhosh Narayanan calls Arivu dishonest
Santhosh Narayanan responded strongly to Arivu’s tweet. He wrote, “You can have your own opinions, man. Pretty much every single one of your technical, ownership, and legal claims is dishonest and delusional, as always. Are you open to debating this on any medium or channel of your choice, with all the proofs of your claims? As your esteemed self has blocked me everywhere else, you can reply here and I shall be available anytime.”
Arivu and Santhosh share their versions
Arivu hit back at Santhosh Narayanan, saying, “My statement on credit, ownership, and compensation is already public. I tried multiple times to resolve this privately- even visiting your home. Those efforts went nowhere. This isn’t a social media debate. Facts speak for themselves. Appropriate channels exist.”
Santhosh Narayanan then wrote, “Yes, this should never have been a social media talking point until you made it one with brazen lies. Again, a beautiful fabrication of deceit when you say you tried to resolve this. You never responded once during all those trying times when I had to stay silent. Also, you came home once last year to invite me to your marriage (I was abroad and my staff told me later). This was after you had blocked me and made a song about it. Anba dhan pesuven (I will only talk with love). I promise — let’s debate this, man.”
