Chemmanam by Abhijith Sethu

Few songs from 2020 have held their ground as well as Chemmanam, a track that keeps finding new audiences. What makes Chemmanam musically distinctive is the composition by Abhijith Sethu, Abijith Sethu, which balances simplicity with depth.

The voice of Abhijith Sethu carries Chemmanam effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The chemistry of a talented ensemble cast is embedded in every moment of Chemmanam, making it as much a performance as a song.

Released in 2020, it arrived at a time when Malayalam music needed exactly this kind of sincerity. Chemmanam is the song for the end of a long day when you want music that understands something without being asked to explain it.

The concision of Chemmanam — just 3:38 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. For anyone yet to hear Chemmanam, the experience ahead is a good one. For those returning, it will be as good as they remember.