Alliyambal (Remix) by Vijay Yesudas

Alliyambal (Remix) works because it does not try to do too much — it finds one feeling and holds it perfectly. Bijibal sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

The performance by Vijay Yesudas is the centrepiece here — controlled where it needs to be, open where it counts. The story told by Mammootty, Gracy Singh in Alliyambal (Remix) finds its musical expression here — Alliyambal (Remix) is where the film's heart beats loudest.

2020 was a strong year for Malayalam music, and Alliyambal (Remix) was among the reasons why. The song rewards full attention but also works as company in the background — a flexibility that most tracks never achieve.

Running to 3:59, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. It is, at the end of it, a very good song — and sometimes that is the only explanation that matters.