Monjerum Ravil by Vidhu Prathap, Kaushik Vinod

Monjerum Ravil works because it does not try to do too much — it finds one feeling and holds it perfectly. The music, composed by Reghupathy, carries the song forward with a confidence that matches the performance.

The voice of Vidhu Prathap, Kaushik Vinod carries Monjerum Ravil effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. Hearing Monjerum Ravil without thinking of Aneesh Menon, Gayatri Suresh, Harish Kanaran is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Maahi.

Released in 2020, it arrived at a time when Malayalam music needed exactly this kind of sincerity. There is no right time to listen to Monjerum Ravil. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

The concision of Monjerum Ravil — just 5:10 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. This is music that holds up — not because it is perfect, but because it is honest, and honesty in a song is irreplaceable.