Vayalar was master of rhythm. These songs make you tap your foot involuntarily.
Before we dive into the playlist, it is important to understand why Vayalar’s lyrics stand the test of time.
There is Malayalam music before Vayalar, and then there is the golden age after him.
Vayalar Rama Varma (1928–1975) wasn’t just a lyricist; he was a revolutionary poet who painted dreams, political angst, and pure romance onto the canvas of 20th-century Malayalam cinema. When you pair his words with the legendary composers K. Raghavan, G. Devarajan, M.S. Baburaj, and V. Dakshinamoorthy, magic happens.
For the lovers of the original gramophone crackle and the heartfelt melodies of the 50s, 60s, and early 70s—this list is your treasure map.
Here are 60 original hits of Vayalar that still haunt the backwaters of our memory.
Before diving into the playlist, understand the man. Vayalar’s poetry was revolutionary. He could write a communist anthem with the ferocity of a thunderstorm ("Sanghaganam Paadi") and a lullaby for a lover with the softness of a monsoon breeze ("Manjalayil Mungithorthi"). His partnership with composers G. Devarajan (the "G" in the legendary G-Devarajan master) and M. S. Baburaj created a musical trinity that remains unmatched.
When you search for "original audio," you are looking for authenticity. You want the version where Yesudas’s voice cracks with raw emotion at the end of a phrase, or where the Sarod wafts in without digital reverb. Here are 60 such gems.
“Manushyan Mathangale” — K. J. Yesudas — Thacholi Othenan (1970) — G. Devarajan
“Kanneer Poovinte” — P. Leela — Bhargavi Nilayam (1964) — M. S. Baburaj
“Ponnazhikkuttu” — P. Leela / V. Dakshinamoorthy film track — (early classic) — V. Dakshinamurthy
“Thaaramudhu” — S. Janaki — Udhyogastha (1967) — G. Devarajan
“Maaninte Mangalyam” — K. J. Yesudas — Chemmeen (1965) — Salil Chowdhury (note: Vayalar contributed lyrics to other Chemmeen songs)
“Anuraga Ganam Pole” — P. Susheela — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Ezhuthiyatharanu Sujatha” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Chemanthi Poove” — P. Leela — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Kulirum Veenjum” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Pavizha Mazha” — P. Jayachandran — N/A — G. Devarajan Hits of Vayalar 60 Malayalam old Songs Original...
“Kaalam Marunnoru” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Naadodi Mannan” — Male chorus — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Swapnathin Theerathu” — S. Janaki — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Madhuramee” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Varnangal” — P. Leela — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Kayyil Oru” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Pular Veyilum” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Snehathin Pranayam” — P. Susheela — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Olavum Theeravum” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Urangunna Sundari” — Female vocalist — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Ambalappuzhe” — Chorus/solo — N/A — K. Raghavan
“Neelambalin” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Poovenam” — P. Susheela — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Kannezhuthiy” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha” (lyrical piece) — ensemble — N/A — traditional-influenced composer
“Mamalakalkkappuram” — Female solo — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Cheriya Katha” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan Vayalar was master of rhythm
“Vasantham Poovukal” — Chorus/solo — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Kavil Chola” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Kanneer Thulli” — P. Leela — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Oru Kamukan” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Kathu Nammude” — Ensemble — N/A — V. Dakshinamurthy
“Vazhiyoram” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Kannuneer” — P. Susheela — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Nilavu Thoovukal” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Tharakam” — Male solo — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Mazha Peyyumbol” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Oru Thelinju” — P. Leela — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Swapnam Vayambum” — S. Janaki — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Kannadi Kaaran” — Male lead — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Mazhavil Thalinte” — Female solo — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Bhoomiyude” — Chorus — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Pookkal Malarunnu” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Sudarshanam” — Male solo — N/A — V. Dakshinamurthy “Manushyan Mathangale” — K
“Koodu Cheriya” — Folk duet — N/A — K. Raghavan
“Ariyaathen” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Njaanoru Puzhayude” — Male solo — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Thumbi Vaa” — Female vocalist — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Keralam Vaathil” — Ensemble — N/A — K. Raghavan
“Nilakkuyil” — P. Susheela — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Rathriye” — Male solo — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Neerazhi” — Female solo — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Malarum” — Chorus/duet — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Chandana Chettan” — Folk number — N/A — K. Raghavan
“Enthe Keralam” — Male chorus — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Sindooram” — S. Janaki — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Vazhve Mayangumbol” — K. J. Yesudas — N/A — G. Devarajan
“Hridayamennil” — P. Leela — N/A — M. S. Baburaj
“Chitta Chellicharithram” — Ensemble — N/A — G. Devarajan
Notes:
Close your eyes. Listen to these alone.