Iniyennukanum by Saleem Kodathoor

Few songs from 2020 have held their ground as well as Iniyennukanum, a track that keeps finding new audiences. Behind the melody is the work of Saleem S, whose composition choices give Iniyennukanum its distinctive texture.

Saleem Kodathoor's vocal here has a quality that is difficult to describe but impossible to miss — it simply feels true. The song is tied to a talented ensemble cast, whose presence gives Iniyennukanum a visual dimension that fans of the film will always associate with it.

2020 was a strong year for Malayalam music, and Iniyennukanum was among the reasons why. There is no right time to listen to Iniyennukanum. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

Running to 5:17, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. The song continues to find new listeners, which is the surest sign that it was made with something genuine at its core.