Muthunabi by Ali Akbar

Muthunabi arrived from the Muthunabi album and quickly became one of the most replayed tracks of 2020. The arrangement here is the work of T K Abu, and it shows genuine craft in how it builds and releases.

The voice of Ali Akbar carries Muthunabi effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. Featuring a talented ensemble cast, the song carries the weight of the film's emotional arc and delivers it with conviction.

The song dates from 2020, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

The 2:57 runtime feels perfectly judged — long enough to develop its ideas, short enough to compel a second play. The track stands as evidence that Ali Akbar and T K Abu, working together, are capable of something well above the ordinary.