Parakittadi by Lenin Valappad

There is an honesty to Parakittadi that separates it from most Malayalam songs released around the same time. What makes Parakittadi musically distinctive is the composition by Paulson Thannikkal, which balances simplicity with depth.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Parakittadi, Lenin Valappad clearly belongs in the second group. The story told by a talented ensemble cast in Parakittadi finds its musical expression here — Parakittadi is where the film's heart beats loudest.

2020 marked the release of Parakittadi, and Parakittadi was the track that ensured the album would be remembered. There is no right time to listen to Parakittadi. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

Running to 2:28, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. For anyone yet to hear Parakittadi, the experience ahead is a good one. For those returning, it will be as good as they remember.