Old Malayalam songs are all about meaningful lyrics and melodious tunes. Most of them are still popular irrespective of age group. It’s a known fact that Malayalam movies have been greatly instrumental in popularizing Malayalam songs. 
Malayalam movies right from its beginning gave special place to songs sequences. Malayalam songs have a glorious age old history. 1938 was the first time when any form of music was used in Malayalam movies. The movie named ‘Balan’ had a sound track. Buoyed by the success of sound track of Balan, many movies like Jnambika, Prahlada, Nirmala which were released during early 40′s had soulful soundtrack that proved to be big success.

The songs of Nirmala were lapped by public and that also gave a new direction to Malayalam movies. Like other regional movies including Hindi movies, songs also became an essential part of any Malayalam movie. These songs greatly affected the performance of Malayalam movies in terms of box office performance. Movies with Good soulful tunes always had a head start while it was being released.

Some of the famous old Malayalam songs are;

  • Swarna Chamaram
  • Aadyathe Kanmani
  • Sruthiyil Ninnuyarum
  • Pennale Pennle
  • Geethe, Hridaya Sakhee
  • Manjubhashini
  • Padatha Veenayum
  • Ayiram Padasarangal
  • Vaikathashtami
  • Omanathinkal Pakshi
  • Anantha Sayana
  • Ezhu Nirangalil
  • Anuraga Nadakathin
  • Ashatamudikayalile
  • Manakkale Thathe
  • Nadikalil Sundari
  • Hridayasarasile
  • Manasa Maine Varoo
  • Surumayezhutiya
  • Chemba Chemba
  • Oh Aayilyam Padathe Penne
  • Suprabhatham
  • Poovukalkku Punyakalam
  • Sree Mahadevan Thante
  • Ettumanoorambalayhil

These songs have been sung by prominent singers like Yesudas, Baluraj and other various artists. Old Malayalam songs represent the golden melodies of bygone era. The lyrics used in these songs, despite being traditional in nature and straightforward, are quite meaningful. The distinctive elements about these songs are the instruments used by the musicians. Used instruments are basic traditional musical ones yet they have managed to produce memorable music. Above mentioned songs are also wonderful mixes of classical and folk music.

Malayalam songs have won many accolades on a national level. That also explains why Malayalam film songs are most popular form of music in kerala.