One of the best aspects of director Jithin K Jose's thriller Kalamkaval is the integration of music into the narrative. The songs not only add to the melancholic mood of the film but also mirror the emotions of the characters. In a recent conversation with Indywood, lyricist Vinayak Sasikumar explained this with an example. He said that a part of the lyrics in the song 'En Vaighai' translates to, "Whether you will be with me till the end of my life?" Vinayak said that while the song offers a peaceful and romantic vibe, the specific line mirrors the macabre tendencies of Mammootty's character Stanley Das. The lyricist said that he has written it like that because it serves as "a love song" for Mammootty's serial killer character. The song comes at a point in the film where Stanley Das is luring his next prey into his den.
The songs in the film are reminiscent of some of Ilaiyaraaja's classic compositions as well. This is a deliberate choice by the film's technical team, especially its director Jithin and composer Mujeeb Majeed. Jithin told Mujeeb to compose such nostalgia-inducing songs to add to the narrative. Some of the songs also have vocals reminiscent of classic singers such as SP Balasubrahmanyam and S Janaki.
At the time of the film's release, the internet was full of memes and comments asking whether the makers of Kalamkaval sought the permission of Ilaiyaraaja, without realising the fact that they are original creations.
Besides 'En Vaighai', the other popular tracks in the film, also starring Vinayakan, include 'Nilaa Kaayum' and 'Mannanai'. After its successful theatrical run, the movie is set to have its digital premiere later this January.
