Cherathilaay Kedathe by Sooraj Santhosh

Sooraj Santhosh has delivered memorable performances before, but Cherathilaay Kedathe sits comfortably among the very best. Ram Surendar sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

What sets this recording apart is how Sooraj Santhosh handles the emotional weight — never overplaying, never holding back. The chemistry of Saju S Das, Rahul Madhav, Nanjiyamma is embedded in every moment of Cherathilaay Kedathe, making it as much a performance as a song.

2024 was a strong year for Malayalam music, and Cherathilaay Kedathe was among the reasons why. There is a quality to Cherathilaay Kedathe that makes it feel like company — the kind of song you put on when words feel insufficient.

Running to 4:20, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. The track stands as evidence that Sooraj Santhosh and Ram Surendar, working together, are capable of something well above the ordinary.