Aakasha Neelima by Manju

Aakasha Neelima is one of those rare Malayalam tracks that manages to feel both fresh and familiar the moment it begins. Behind the melody is the work of Ravindram, whose composition choices give Aakasha Neelima its distinctive texture.

The vocal on Aakasha Neelima is among the better performances Manju has committed to record. Hearing Aakasha Neelima without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Aakasha Neelima.

2020 marked the release of Aakasha Neelima, and Aakasha Neelima was the track that ensured the album would be remembered. It is the kind of track that works at full volume with friends and equally well in a quiet room alone — the mood adjusts without the song changing.

In 2:50 minutes, Aakasha Neelima builds, opens up, and resolves in a way that feels complete rather than truncated. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Malayalam in recent memory — and the numbers agree.