There is an uplifting vibe about ‘Elelam kili’, the new Tamil single by Sithara Krishnakumar’s band, Project Malabaricus. “The happiness we find in each other as a band comes across in the song,” says Sithara, who is currently in the UK for shows with her band.
The music video released recently is directed by Anand Menen, who helmed the movies Vaazha : Biopic of a Billion Boys and Gauthamante Ratham.
A still from the music video ‘Elelam kili’
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Sithara says that they first sang the Malayalam version of the song, written by BK Harinarayanan, at their stage show. “When Anand came up with a storyline that had a terrain in Tamil Nadu as the backdrop we decided to have a Tamil version. The Malayalam version will be released on March 8,” says Sithara. Ahamed Shyam has written the Tamil lyrics.
She adds that her brief to Harinarayanan before writing the lyrics was that it should be a travel song and the story told through a girl’s point of view. The song is a take on human relationships as seen through the life of this girl who has lost her mother, a classical dancer, and hence living with her mother’s sister and husband. When her aunt’s husband makes it clear that he can’t take the girl’s responsibility, she leaves home, with a ripped photograph of her mother and an address written behind it.
The song follows her journey and how she reaches the destination with the help of strangers at different points of time. Her journey ends with a surprise for her and the promise of a new life.
Manju Warrier in the music video ‘Elelam kili’ by Sithara Krishnakumar’s band, Project Malabaricus
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The highlight of ‘Elelam kili’ is actor Manju Warrier’s cameo. Once the video was out, social media went on an overdrive, celebrating her traditional look. “We had kept it as a surprise. I wished that we have her in the video and I was ecstatic when she said yes. After that her team took up the project. They brought in Anand as director and Bineesh Chandra as creative producer.”
Sithara adds that Anand’s storyline had everything she had envisaged and he managed to pull off exactly what he had narrated.
Manju Warrier with Sithara Krishnakumar and members of her band
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Speaking about the folk elements in the song she says the team has always loved to play around with that genre. “Percussionist PK Sunil Kumar, a constant in our productions, designed the elements. The nadaswaram portion complemented it,” she says, adding that but for the business group, Oxygen, they would not have been able to mount such a huge production. Folk musician Gana Vimala has also sung a portion in the song.
Reflecting on the joyful time they had while shooting in Madurai, grooving and shaking a leg in colourful costumes, Sithara says, “Although we all have a serious approach to music, we prefer to keep things light. None of us are stubborn about anything. There is a basic discipline. That’s all. When we got a light hookline like ‘Elelam kili’, it was decided ‘let’s dance’ and we just did that.”
Looking back at their journey since the formation of the band in 2017, Sithara says that they are a family now. “The space we have created is an easy one where everybody can have an opinion. We know each others’ mood swings. There is no hierarchy in terms of age, experience or knowledge about music. Our respective families are close to each other as well. We help each other to grow. We are not restricted by any deadline to finish a work. At the same time there is no compromise on what each person has to do,” she explains.
Sithara Krishnakumar with her band Project Malabaricus
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The band is also overwhelmed about the space they are getting in the indie music scene in Kerala. “I am always excited about how the audience have accepted us. We don’t bother about the numbers once we release a track. We are happy even if a few can relate to what we create. We all know our limitations and we try to push the envelope every time. We also look forward to learning more, going deep into music.”
She says that each band member has an individual journey as musicians. She, for example, finds time to juggle among playback, judging a music reality show, and singing for indie productions, balancing it all with her personal life. “It is not stressful because I am where I wanted to be. This is a blessing and I am grateful that I am in this space.”
Her band members are Srinath Nair (keyboard), Liboy Praisly and Vijo Job (guitars), Ajay Krishnan (bass), and Midhun Paul (drums)
‘Elelam kili’ is streaming on YouTube
Published – February 18, 2026 12:45 pm IST
