Ee Punnyamerum by Shuhaib Sulthan Thottara, Navas Manarkkad

Not every song from Ee Punnyamerum lingers, but Ee Punnyamerum is the one that stays. Ali Mangad has a history of strong work, and the music on Ee Punnyamerum is among the most memorable of it.

The vocal on Ee Punnyamerum is among the better performances Shuhaib Sulthan Thottara, Navas Manarkkad has committed to record. For fans of a talented ensemble cast, Ee Punnyamerum is one of those songs that immediately conjures specific scenes and emotions.

The song dates from 2020, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. 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 Ee Punnyamerum — just 5:15 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. The track stands as evidence that Shuhaib Sulthan Thottara, Navas Manarkkad and Ali Mangad, working together, are capable of something well above the ordinary.