Chembaka Poove by Saleem Kodathoor

Chembaka Poove works because it does not try to do too much — it finds one feeling and holds it perfectly. Saleem Kodathoor, Shahid Muneer sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

The voice of Saleem Kodathoor carries Chembaka Poove effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The story told by a talented ensemble cast in Chembaka Poove finds its musical expression here — Chembaka Poove is where the film's heart beats loudest.

By the end of 2020, Chembaka Poove had moved well beyond its original audience and into everyday playlists. Whether it plays on a long drive, during a quiet evening at home, or through earphones on a crowded commute, the song meets the listener where they are.

The concision of Chembaka Poove — just 6:00 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. Chembaka Poove has earned its place in the catalogue of Malayalam music that genuinely matters. The listeners who found it early already knew.