Mar 13, 2026 5:44pm IST
Santhosh Narayanan And Rapper Arivu Clash On Social Media Over ‘Enjoy Enjaami’
Tamil composer Santhosh Narayanan needs no introduction. He is known for his wonderful work in films like “Karnan,” “Retro,” “Jagame Thandiram,” and others. Today, a social media user on X (formely Twitter) posted a clip from the viral hit, “Enjoy Enjaami,” and wrote, “A Tamil indie album that broke borders, went global and ruled the whole lockdown days.” Below that, another user called out Santhosh Narayanan and his daughter Dhee saying they stole the song from Arivu, who is a Tamil rapper who became a sensation in the lockdown with this song. Dhee is the step-daughter of music composer Santhosh Narayanan and Carnatic musician, Meenakshi Iyer.
The composer did not take this lightly and clarified writing, “Konjam rest edunga thambi (Take some rest, brother).” He claimed that Dhee conceptualized some portions of the songs. Narayanan said the story and music video was directed by Manikandan who is a famous Tamil director. They worked together in the famous rural drama, “Kadaisi Vivasayi.” Santhosh said that he composed and produced all the songs.
The Tamil composer said Arivu was the songwriter and performed on the song. He further wrote on X, “Some traditional Oppari lines were also adapted by Arivu…I only suggested the word Enjaami like I always suggest for most of my songs like Rakitaa, Kanimaa etc. Thankfully we live in a digital domain and every claim can and should be proven.”
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
For clarity regarding “Enjoy Enjaami” (released 5 years ago):
— Arivu (@Arivubeing) March 13, 2026
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
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Arivu entered into this social media war highlighting how music was a collaborative effort but credit and compensation must be fair. He hinted that he was unpaid for his work. He wrote on X, “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”
He also added, “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. Back then I did not understand what that meant.”
The rapper said that while his collaborators have safeguarded their rights and received royalties, he got nothing out of the same. He wrote, “This is not about sympathy. It is about credit, rights and dignity of labour. Independent artists: protect your work. Have agreements. Know your rights. - Arivu, Valliamma Perandi (Valliamma’s grandson).”
Santhosh Narayanan hit back at the claims, saying, “
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 blocked me everywhere else, you can reply here and I shall be available anytime.”
Arivu said he wished to solve this matter in private and was not keen on a social media battle. The composer replied, “
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 for 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 talk only with love) I promise let’s debate this man.”
A fan of the composer also asked Arivu to create one more hit like “Enjoy Enjaami” in retaliation. Santhosh said it was an unfair demand. He added, “Having said that, it is very sad that the guy jumped on a stupid political bandwagon after the song started to get extremely popular, which we never expected in the first place.”
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