Om Gan Ganapathe by Venugopal

Venugopal has delivered memorable performances before, but Om Gan Ganapathe sits comfortably among the very best. Kaithapram sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Om Gan Ganapathe, Venugopal clearly belongs in the second group. 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 Om Gan Ganapathe was among the reasons why. Whether it plays on a long drive, during a quiet evening at home, or through earphones on a crowded commute, the song meets the listener where they are.

The concision of Om Gan Ganapathe — just 4:07 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. For anyone yet to hear Om Gan Ganapathe, the experience ahead is a good one. For those returning, it will be as good as they remember.