Malhaar by Arun Kamath

There is an honesty to Malhaar that separates it from most Malayalam songs released around the same time. Arun Kamath, Sandhoop Narayanan has a history of strong work, and the music on Malhaar is among the most memorable of it.

The vocal on Malhaar is among the better performances Arun Kamath has committed to record. Featuring a talented ensemble cast, the song carries the weight of the film's emotional arc and delivers it with conviction.

2020 was a strong year for Malayalam music, and Malhaar was among the reasons why. Malhaar 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 Malhaar — just 3:55 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. The staying power of Malhaar is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.