The controversy surrounding credit for the popular song Enjoy Enjaami has resurfaced once again on March 13, after Tamil lyricist and rapper Arivu publicly reiterated his claims regarding authorship and recognition for the widely celebrated track.
In a recent statement, Arivu explained that the beat for the song had been sent to him, after which he wrote the lyrics, composed the main vocal melody and performed the track, drawing deeply from his own cultural roots and lived experiences.
“Music is collaborative,” he said. “But credit and compensation must also be fair.”
Released in 2021, Enjoy Enjaami featured vocals by Arivu and playback singer Dhee. The track was composed by well-known music director Santhosh Narayanan, who is also Dhee’s father, and was released under the Canada-based independent record label Maajja.
In the same year, Arivu also co-wrote the song Neeye Oli together with Sri Lankan-Tamil hip-hop artist Shan Vincent de Paul for director Pa. Ranjith’s critically acclaimed film Sarpatta Parambarai.
The controversy initially emerged in August 2021 when Rolling Stone featured Dhee and Shan Vincent de Paul on its cover. The article largely credited them for Enjoy Enjaami and Neeye Oli, respectively. This led to criticism from several voices within the anti-caste movement, who argued that the feature had effectively erased Arivu’s contribution and the lived experiences that inspired the song.
You can have your own opinions man. Pretty much every single one of your technical/ownership/legal claims are dishonest and delusional as always. Are you open to debate this in any medium/channel of your choice with all the proofs of your claims ?? As your esteemed self has… https://t.co/joo2K9dkrJ
— Santhosh Narayanan (@Music_Santhosh) March 13, 2026
Ranjith and Santhosh Narayanan had previously collaborated on several films, including Attakathi, Madras, Kabali, Kaala, and Sarpatta Parambarai. However, following the dispute, Ranjith has not worked with Santhosh again. The music for his later films Natchathiram Nagargirathu and Thangalaan was instead composed by Tenma and G. V. Prakash Kumar respectively.
In 2024, Santhosh Narayanan reportedly threatened legal action against Maajja, accusing the label of failing to pay artists’ fees to him, Dhee, Arivu and others involved in the project. Despite the controversy, Enjoy Enjaami remains hugely popular and has amassed over 521 million views on YouTube.
The debate was reignited this year after political content creator Arun Annow accused Santhosh Narayanan and Dhee of “stealing” the song from Arivu.
Responding to the allegations, Santhosh Narayanan defended his role in the project. He stated that the original idea for the song came from Dhee and included some of her melodic contributions. According to him, the core storyline and concept were developed by director M. Manikandan, who was working with him at the time on the film Kadaisi Vivasayi.
Santhosh further explained that he composed, produced and created the melodies for the track, while Arivu wrote most of the lyrics and performed the song. He also noted that some traditional oppari lines, a folk musical form traditionally performed by Dalit artists — were adapted by Arivu.
In Enjoy Enjaami, Arivu altered his voice during the oppari segments as a tribute to his grandmother, Valliamma, who had been forced to work in Sri Lankan tea plantations.
Yes this should never 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… https://t.co/qaQtDxt3df
— Santhosh Narayanan (@Music_Santhosh) March 13, 2026
In response, Arivu emphasised that the song was deeply rooted in his personal history and community experiences.
“The song was shot in my village, with stories from my land and my people,” he said. “I shared that history believing it would reach the masses. But I was placed only as a ‘featuring artist’ despite writing the entire song and composing the main melody.”
Arivu also claimed that he initially did not fully understand the implications of being credited merely as a featuring artist. According to him, while collaborators continue to hold the rights and receive royalties from the song, he has received neither payment nor ownership for his work.
“This is not about sympathy,” he added. “It is about credit, rights and the dignity of labour.”
Encouraging independent artists to understand and protect their creative rights, Arivu ended his statement by signing off as “Valliamma perandi” meaning Valliamma’s grandson.
Santhosh Narayanan later responded sharply to Arivu’s claims, describing them as “dishonest and delusional.” He also issued a public challenge inviting Arivu to debate the issue on any platform of his choice, saying he was ready to present proof to support his position.
Enjoy Enjaami pays tribute to Dalit indentured labourers who were forced to work on Sri Lankan tea plantations during colonial rule. At the time, Pa. Ranjith who has been a mentor to Arivu openly criticised Rolling Stone and Maajja for what he described as the “erasure” of Arivu’s role in the song’s creation.
Source : thenewsminute , Pinvilla
