Prema Vrundhavanam by Shafi Kollam

Released as part of Prema Vrundhavanam, Prema Vrundhavanam announced itself as a standout the moment it reached listeners. Behind the melody is the work of Shaafi Kollam, whose composition choices give Prema Vrundhavanam its distinctive texture.

Shafi Kollam inhabits this song completely, making every phrase feel like it was written specifically for this voice. The chemistry of a talented ensemble cast is embedded in every moment of Prema Vrundhavanam, making it as much a performance as a song.

2020 marked the release of Prema Vrundhavanam, and Prema Vrundhavanam was the track that ensured the album would be remembered. The emotional register of Prema Vrundhavanam is wide enough to fit celebration and solitude equally well.

At 5:29, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Malayalam in recent memory — and the numbers agree.