Poonkani Pookum by Salman

Salman has delivered memorable performances before, but Poonkani Pookum sits comfortably among the very best. The arrangement here is the work of Musadhique Tanur, and it shows genuine craft in how it builds and releases.

The voice of Salman carries Poonkani Pookum effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. Hearing Poonkani Pookum without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Poonkani Pookum.

2020 marked the release of Poonkani Pookum, and Poonkani Pookum was the track that ensured the album would be remembered. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

The 4:24 runtime feels perfectly judged — long enough to develop its ideas, short enough to compel a second play. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Malayalam in recent memory — and the numbers agree.