Mammala by Saleem Kodathoor

Mammala is the kind of song that earns its place in a playlist and then refuses to leave. Credit goes to Muneer Hudavi for a score that understands exactly what the song needs and nothing more.

Saleem Kodathoor brings a warmth to Mammala that no production choice could manufacture — it has to be felt, and here it is. The chemistry of a talented ensemble cast is embedded in every moment of Mammala, making it as much a performance as a song.

2020 marked the release of Mammala, and Mammala was the track that ensured the album would be remembered. The mood of the track shifts subtly as it progresses, giving even a single listen a sense of journey.

The concision of Mammala — just 4:34 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. The staying power of Mammala is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.