Mappila songs with a twist

It was after doing music for the movie Mylanchi Monjulla Veedu that people of the popular music label ‘Muzik 247’ approached music director Afzal Yusuff to do a set of ‘mappila’ songs for them. While accepting their proposal, Afzal was determined that he would follow a different treatment for these songs.

That determination is quite obvious in the tracks of the album Nilathattam, released recently as gift for all during Ramadan. The songs are entirely different from the traditional mappila songs — be it in terms of tunes or lyrics. One can find difference everywhere.

“Nilathattam is a romantic mappila album. I believe that, whenever we do music, there should be some variety in it. Then only it will remain in the hearts of listeners. Usually we follow the traditional pattern for mappila songs. However, in Nilathattam, to bring a change, I have used contemporary style for all songs,” says Afzal, who was inspired by the Malabar culture to do these songs.

According to PRO of Muzik 247, the album features a collection of beautiful compositions that touches upon the varied emotions of hope, desire and romance like moonlight. “With simple yet heart-warming lyrics, each track will become even more endearing with its soulful mellifluous tune,” he says adding that they have found the holy month as the perfect time to launch the songs. The album is available in YouTube. And it has already crossed more than 2000 views within a few days of its launch.

Afzal has composed the songs to the lyrics of Rafeeq Ahemad. The album has brought together prominent playback singers as well as new faces. “All leading singers such as Najim, Ranjith, Chinmayi, Sithara and Sachin Warrier have sung in it. We have introduced three new singers — Shilpa Raju, Anwesha, and Praseeda Govardhan to Malayalam through this music album. Anwesha is a popular singer in Bollywood. The song Perunnal is her first attempt in Malayalam,” says Afsal.

According to Najim Arshad, who sang two songs in the album, all songs of Nilathattam are equivalent to film songs. “That makes these songs distinct. Compared to other albums, the songs in Nilathattam have got quality.”