Is Vidyasagar the best music director Malayalam has ever seen ? I believe so. What is even more amazing is he may have achieved this tag with his works from only a short period of time, particularly between 1996 to 2003. A look at this golden stretch from Vidyasagar.

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In 1996, Vidyasagar debuted in Malayalam and won the Kerala State award for Best Music Director in Azhakiya Ravanan right away ! The "Vennila Chandana Kinnam" song was a huge hit then and still a classic that would never get old !

In 1996, he also gave the superb "Thanka Thinkal" in Indraprastham - One of my all time favorite songs.

A lot of the movies that he worked back then would look dated today. But his songs live on.

In 1997, all songs in Varnapakittu are beautiful. When the movie released, "Manikyakallal" was a smashing hit and also boosted the career of Divya Unni in a big way. But I still believe " Doore Mamarakombil" is a less talked about gem.

In 1997, Krishnagudiyile Oru Pranayakalathu's "Pinneyum Pinneyum" is another beautiful song that all of us hummed for several months back when it released.

In 1998, Vidyasagar wins his second State award for the lovely Pranayavarnanagal. Which song could I go from this album ? While "Aaro Viral Meeti" is for ages, when "Kannaadi Koodum Kootti" starts, your head starts making the dance steps :)

In 1998, Vidyasagar joins with Sibi Malayil again for Summer in Bethlehem. I honestly haven't seen another movie where each frame has a music/a tune that gels so well with the screenplay. Another album with all hits. "Ethrayo Janmamaayi" stands out but.

In 1999, Niram becomes a big sensation in campuses mainly thanks to Vidyasagar's songs. While "Shukriya" was a instant hit, "Prayam Thammil" perhaps re-kicked the career of singer P. Jayachandran.

But "Mizhiyariyaathe" became my all time favorite song.

In 1999, Vidyasagar's songs were the major backbone of Lal Jose's hit Chandranudikunna Dikkil too

In 1999, Vidyasagar did also "Ezhupunna Tharakan". His songs are the only way you know that film existed ! While "Thekke thekke padam" gave Mammootty another chartbuster song like " Vennila chandanakinnam", " Mele vinnin" is the standout for me

In 2000, you cant imagine Devadoothan without Vidyasagar's music. How this film flopped still baffles me. But the music director won his 3rd Kerala state award in 5 years ! Imagine what authority he had in that period !

This song is sheer goosebumps !

In 2000, a movie named Dreams released. Maybe you wont even recollect anything about that movie until you look at this gem of a song from Vidyasagar in it

In 2000, a musical "Millenium stars" came out riding on the power of Vidyasagar's songs -songs were big chartbusters before the film release. But the film tanked big time. The only take away one more time was Vidyasagar's music

In 2000, Vidyasagar did so many lovely songs for "Satyam Sivam Sundaram". It is just so sad that no one else associated with the movie matched up to this genius. " Walking in the moonlight" was a hit for a very very long time

In 2001, the only 5 minutes that was good in the dud Dubai was Vidyasagar's brilliant "Oru Pattin Kaattil"

In 2001, Randam Bhavam was perhaps an unfortunate flop as the movie deserved better. But Vidyasagar's song never failed to get attention. "Marannitumenthino" is another beautiful melody from the "Melody king" !

In 2002, Meeshamadhavan becomes one of Malayalam's biggest success stories and you cannot keep Vidyasagar's vital contribution out of the factors that went behind it. All songs are chartbusters and this one particularly stands out.

In 2002, Vidyasagar's music also gave Gramaphone the depth the movie otherwise lacked. " Enthe Innum Vanneela" is a personal favorite.

In 2003, CID Moosa's " Kadirangi" I believe is one of the most well picturized songs ever. So much fun happen in that 5 minutes and Vidyasagar scores another big hit. This is another example of how the music director fitted so well for any genre !

In 2003, Vidaysagar's songs were among the very few good things in Kilichundan Mambazham .

P.S - Its not that Vidyasagar hasnt given great songs after 2003. Just that this 1996 - 2003 was a really dreamy stretch !