Kothiyode Kandaval by Raiz Bin Abdulla

Few songs from 2020 have held their ground as well as Kothiyode Kandaval, a track that keeps finding new audiences. Nizar Shiriya's arrangement gives the track a layered quality that rewards repeated listening.

Raiz Bin Abdulla inhabits this song completely, making every phrase feel like it was written specifically for this voice. Featuring a talented ensemble cast, the song carries the weight of the film's emotional arc and delivers it with conviction.

The 2020 release gave fans something to hold onto — a track built for repeated listening rather than a single play. There is no right time to listen to Kothiyode Kandaval. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

Running to 5:58, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. The staying power of Kothiyode Kandaval is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.