Rajabmasa Nilavu by Asharaf Koduvally

Released as part of Rajabmasa Nilavu, Rajabmasa Nilavu announced itself as a standout the moment it reached listeners. The production by is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Rajabmasa Nilavu, Asharaf Koduvally 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 Rajabmasa Nilavu 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.

Running to 5:25, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Years from now, Rajabmasa Nilavu will still be the track that plays at the right moment and lands exactly as it did the first time.