Of all the gifts that are natural,I would say it’s the ability to sing that takes the cake. The magic of a good voice can never stop to surprise me.

Often, at the university, even a lethargic and sleepy audience is immediately tapping its feet enthusiastically to a song well rendered.

Even among the songs that continue to impact for a life time, there are songs that reach your soul and stay there as a refreshing memory, like the ‘host of golden daffodils ‘ to Wordsworth, friend, philosopher and guide to many.

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.. goes the concluding stanza of Wordsworth’s famous poem’I wandered lonely as a cloud’.

This is how great songs are which like those secret treasures of beloved memories never fail to lift the mood of any individual even in the most testing of times.

To that category should I then add a few of these malayalam songs which evoke pure bliss.

With its folklor-ish touch penned by the famous poet Kavalam Nararyana Panicker, the song is nothing short of heavenly.

Kaantha is an eloquent expression of a woman’s desire to be a part of the man’s world, to witness the grandeur of Thrissur Pooram, the best of temple festivals in Kerala and just be part of the general fun.

One of my all time favorite songs has to be this. Addressed to the dusk, called Sandhya in Malayamal, this song seems to grow in intensity and beauty with the passage of time. It is from the film Madanaolsavam released in 1978.

Karuthathonikkara from the film Aksharangal in 1984 is also strangely evocative.

With its inimitable poetry, this song starting Chakravarthinee…is a true classic.

Onnini Sruthi thazthi is a beautiful lullaby by S. Jayachandran melodious, poetic and what not!

What words can describe the beauty of Parvathi’s eyes. This song perfectly captures her beauty in the back drop of Sri Vadukkunatha Temple in Trichur, Kerala.

Enthinu veroru sooryodayam is a beautifully pictured song. Shobana’s beauty stands out and she looks great with Mamootty too. Mostly though the song is pure poetry.

Quarantine times are good times to catch with what is old and forever gold!