Ninavile Onam by Anil Kumar, Chandini M. Nair

Not every song from Ninavile Onam lingers, but Ninavile Onam is the one that stays. The production by Anil Kumar is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The voice of Anil Kumar, Chandini M. Nair carries Ninavile Onam effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. a talented ensemble cast gave the film its soul, and Ninavile Onam is the song that most directly channels that feeling into music.

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 Ninavile Onam. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

The concision of Ninavile Onam — just 4:58 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. The song continues to find new listeners, which is the surest sign that it was made with something genuine at its core.