It was a very good year for music lovers. And for me, it was really difficult to restrict the list to ten songs. Year 2004 saw the rise of new talents like Alphonse Joseph and M. Jayachandran. But Alphonse had no film music released in 2005 and was sidelined. He is one rare talent and hope that he will get good opportunities this year. In 2005, M. Jayachandran returned to mediocrity(after a good album ‘Akale’ in 2004). His songs lack depth and he continuously delivers songs of a character which we did reject in the early 80s’ itself.(eg. Those of ‘Raappakal’). In 2005, the big composers like Vidyasagar, Ravi Bombay, M.G.Radhakrishnan and Ouseppachan came back in great form with their inimitable style and class. Also, Raveendran, the all time greatest composer gave his last composition in 2005. His demise is the greatest loss to Malayalam film music.
Here is my list of the best songs of 2005.
1.Aararum kaanate *
Film: Chandrotsavam Music: Vidyasagar Voice: P. Jayachandran
The most beautiful song of the year. Vidyasagar is right back into melody and the song evokes all the nostalgic feelings. It is calm and catchy.
2. Punnellin katirola
Film: Made In USA Music: Vidyasagar Voice: Aparna(grand daughter of ONV Kurupp)
The enigmatic feeling that this song imparts is unmatched. Listen to these lines… “paadate poya than manikyam tedunna kaanchana naagathin katha parayaan” It is awesome rendition by Aparna and is a rare composition by Vidyasagar.
- Kalabham taraam **Film: Vadakkunnaathan Music: Raveendran Voice: Chitra
Raveendran’s last album. What a song this is. Soothing . Charming. Chitra’s voice and the violin which follows it are just matchless.
4.Mele vellithinkal Film: Tanmaatra Music: Mohan Sitara Voice: Kartik
I regain the liking towards Mohan Sitara after a long time. I liked his earlier songs like “raree rareeram” from ‘Onnu mutal poojyam vare’ . But after that ‘Vasantiyum lakshmiyum’, he delivered the same kind of rhythms and tunes and I began to hate his style. But surprisingly, in Tanmatra, whatever he had done is brilliant, especially this soft melody. Kartik excels in such numbers.
5. Tira nurayum Film: Anantabhadram Music: M.G. Radhakrishnan Voice: K.J. Yesudas
Another great composer broke his silence and came right back into the top. The veteran Carnatic vocalist and composer M.G. Radhakrishnan gave this strong semi-classical song for Santosh Sivan’s craziest ever movie ‘Anantabhadram’.
6. Ninnil nizhalaay Film: Police Music: Ouseppachchan Voice: Anoop Shankar
Ouseppachan, the melody king also returns. This melody from the film ‘Police’ proves his talent in making soft, hummable songs. *
- Parayaate ariyaate **Film: Udayananu Taaram Music: Deepak Dev Voice: Kartik
This song might be the biggest hit of 2005. Everyone hums it. It gave Deepak Dev a new life and now he is one of the busiest composers in Malayalam. The Album has two versions of it. One bye K.J. Yesudas and other by Kartik. The former is used in the movie. But to be frank, the Kartik version is far ahead in its feel and beauty.
8. Ee puzhayum kulir kaattum – voice: Chitra Chuvarillate – voice: P.Jayachandran Bhagavatikkavil vacho – voice: M.G. Sreekumar Kaattinu sugandhamaanishtam – voice: K.J. Yesudas Film: Mayookham Music: Ravi
Ravi, the veteran from Bollywood, (often called as Bombay Ravi.) rehashed his old hits from Panchagni, Nakhakshatangal and Sukrutam to give these beautiful songs. All of them are equally good. The only problem is that the songs carry a deja vu .
9. Kaanaa kkannil Film: Police Music: Ouseppachchan Voice:Balu
Again Ouseppachan and the film ‘Police’. It is a romantic melody with an unconventional rhythmic pattern. Very nice to listen and it is technically far ahead of all the other songs released in 2005.
10. Italoornnu veena panineerdalangal Film: Tanmaatra Music: Mohan Sitara Voice: Mohan Lal
This melody is the surprise package of ‘Tanmaatra’….sung by Mohan Lal!, the lead actor of the film(probably his best ever performance) . I liked Lal’s song than the other version of the song by P. Jayachandran. *
11.Chaantu kudanjoru sooryan **Film: Chaantupott Music: Vidyasagar Voice: Shahabas Amaan, Sujata
The third song by Vidyasagar in the chart! Although not as great as the above songs, this one needs a special mention. The popular Ghazal & light music performer Shahabas Amaan’s voice is a refreshing change!
The other songs worth listening are:
Gange - Film: Vadakkunnathan
Paahi param porule – Film: Vadakkunnaathan
Iniyum mizhikal – Film: Ben Johnson(music: Deepak Dev)
Aazha kkadalinte – Film: Chaantupott
Njaan oru naran – Film: Naran(music: Deepak Dev)
Ange tala atirum tala – Film: Udayon(voice: Shankar Mahadevan)
Othiriyothiri – Film: Vadakkunnaathan
Kaattu veliyude - Film: Tanmaatra
Enthu paranjaalum Film:Achchuvinte Amma
Ponmulam - Film:Chandrotsavam
Oru chiri kandaal - Film: Ponmudippuzhayoratt.(music: Ilayaraja, voice: Vijay Yesudas, Manjari.)
All these sweet songs heard bring high expectations for 2006 ….since the songs to be heard are sweeter!