The end of 2016 is almost here. A year that many look forward to seeing off, given the number of terrible incidents it brought with it. Among the many deaths this year were also some of the biggest legends in the world of music. Not a bad year for music otherwise though, especially in India. There were some really good songs and soundtracks – a lot of promising debutants, especially down South, and some of the seniors too delivering some fab soundtracks. And from the massive number of songs released this year, we have picked for you our favourites in this 8th annual roundup of ours. The lists remain the same as last year – Bollywood, Malayalam, Tamil, non-film and a miscellaneous set of other language film songs we liked but didn’t follow enough of the language to be able to make separate playlists of. We have only considered movies that released in 2016, as usual. The format too remains same as last year – Song Title (Movie) – Composer(s)|Singer(s)|Lyricist(s) for film songs and Song Title (Album) – Artist(s) for album songs. You can listen to each song by clicking on the title, and there is a YouTube playlist of the top 25 at the end of each list (except in case of the misc list). This year we have also included an Apple Music playlist for those using the service. The songs, then!
PS: The banner art was designed by the awesomely talented @cookydoh!
Bollywood Top 25
- Aave Re Hichki (Mirzya) – Shankar Ehsaan Loy|Mame Khan, Shankar Mahadevan|Gulzar
- Haminastu (Fitoor) – Amit Trivedi|Zeb Bangash|Swanand Kirkire
- Haanikaarak Bapu (Dangal) – Pritam|Sarwar Khan & Sartaz Khan Barna|Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Dugg Duggi Dugg (Jugni) – Clinton Cerejo|Vishal Bhardwaj|Shellee
- Ud-daa Punjab (Udta Punjab) – Amit Trivedi|Amit Trivedi, Vishal Dadlani|Varun Grover
- Tareefon Se (Dear Zindagi) – Amit Trivedi|Arijit Singh|Kausar Munir
- Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) – Pritam|Arijit Singh|Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Doli Re Doli (Mirzya) – Shankar Ehsaan Loy|Mame Khan, Shankar Mahadevan|Gulzar
- Behooda (Raman Raghav 2.0) – Ram Sampath|Nayantara Bhatkal|Varun Grover
- Rootha (Te3n) – Clinton Cerejo|Benny Dayal, Divya Kumar, Bianca Gomes|Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Jag Ghoomeya (Sultan) – Vishal Shekhar|Neha Bhasin|Irshad Kamil
- Labon Ka Karobar (Befikre) – Vishal Shekhar|Papon|Jaideep Sahni
- Kaala Chashma (Baar Baar Dekho) – Prem Hardeep, Badshah|Amrik Singh, Kumaar|Amar Arshi, Badshah, Neha Kakkar, Indeep Bakshi
- Gilehriyaan (Dangal) – Pritam|Jonita Gandhi|Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Maths Mein Dabba Gul (Nil Battey Sannata) – Rohan-Vinayak|Rohan Utpat,Aarti Shenai|Nitesh Tiwari
- Mai Ri Mai (Parched) – Hitesh Sonik|Neeti Mohan, Harshdeep Kaur|Swanand Kirkire
- Besabriyaan (M S Dhoni – The Untold Story) – Amaal Mallik|Armaan Malik|Manoj Muntashir
- Dhanak (Dhanak) – Tapas Relia|Monali Thakur|Mir Ali Husain
- Ikk Kudi (Udta Punjab) – Amit Trivedi|Shahid Mallya|Shiv Kumar Batalvi
- Sarsariya (Mohenjo Daro) – A R Rahman|Shashaa Tirupati|Javed Akhtar
- Hone Do Batiyaan (Fitoor) – Amit Trivedi|Nandini Srikar, Zeb Bangash|Swanand Kirkire
- Chull (Kapoor & Sons) – Amaal Mallik, Badshah|Badshah, Kumaar|Badshah, Fazilpuria, Sukriti Kakar, Neha Kakkar
- The Breakup Song (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) – Pritam|Jonita Gandhi, Arijit Singh|Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Hatt Mullah (Jugni) – Clinton Cerejo|Bianca Gomes, Clinton Cerejo|Baba Bulleh Shah, Shellee, Clinton Cerejo
- Barsan Laagi (Sarbjit) – Shail-Pritesh|Shail Hada|A M Turaz
Honorary Mentions
- Jabra Fan (Fan) – Vishal Shekhar|Nakash Aziz|Varun Grover
- Piya Tu Piya (Dongri Ka Raja) – Asad Khan|Arijit Singh, Chinmayi|Vijay Vijawat
- Tu Hai Toh (Waiting) – Mikey McCleary|Nikhil D’Souza, Anushka Manchanda|Manoj Muntashir
- Rada (Banjo) – Vishal Shekhar|Vishal Dadlani, Nakash Aziz, Shalmali Kholgade|Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Kho Gaye (Baar Baar Dekho) – Jasleen Royal|Jasleen Royal, Prateek Kuhad|Prateek Kuhad
The Apple Music playlist here.
Malayalam Top 25
- Kisa Paathiyil (Kismath) – Sushin Shyam|Sachin Balu|Anwar Ali
- Idukki (Maheshinte Prathikaram) – Bijibal|Bijibal|Rafeeq Ahammed
- Kannukal (Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti) – Sooraj S Kurup|Sooraj S Kurup|Sooraj S Kurup
- Manogatham (Anuraga Karikkin Vellam) – Prashant Pillai|Haricharan, Mathangi Jagdish|BK Harinarayanan
- Nilavil Ellaame (Aanandam) – Sachin Warrier|Sachin Warrier|Anu Elizabeth Jose
- Raavu Maayave (Vettah) – Shaan Rahman|Rinu Razak, Hesham Abdul Wahab|Manu Manjith
- Puzhu Pulikal (Kammatipaadam) – Vinayakan|Sunil Mathai, Savio Laz|Anwar Ali
- Dubai (Jacobinte Swargarajyam) – Shaan Rahman|Vineeth Sreenivasan, Suchith Suresan, Liya Varghese|Manu Manjith
- Oru Vela (White) – Rahul Raj|Shweta Mohan|Rafeeq Ahammed
- Ethu Meghamaari (Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coehlo) – Shaan Rahman|Hesham Abdul Wahab|Vishal Johnson
- Pookkal Panineer (Action Hero Biju) – Jerry Amaldev|Yesudas, Vani Jayaram|Santhosh Varma
- Seythaante (Inspector Dawood Ibrahim) – Rahul Raj|Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, Pradeep Palluruthy|Manu Manjith
- Thaniye (Guppy) – Vishnu Vijay|Sooraj Santhosh, Madhuvanthi Narayan|Vinaayak Sasikumar
- Chillu Raanthal (Kali) – Gopi Sunder|Job Kurian|BK Harinarayanan
- Chingamaasathile (Kammatipaadam) – John P Varkey|Anoop Mohandas|Dileep K G
- Pularkaalam Pole (Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti) – Sooraj S Kurup|Haricharan, Madonna Sebastian|BK Harinarayanan
- Medappoompattum (Karinkunnam 6’s) – Rahul Raj|Najeem Arshad|Vinaayak Sasikumar
- Para Para (Kammatipaadam) – John P Varkey|Anoop Mohandas & Chorus|Anwar Ali
- Mounangal (Maheshinte Prathikaaram) – Bijibal|Vijay Yesudas, Aparna Balamurali|Rafeeq Ahammed
- Vinnu Churanna (Kismath) – Sumesh Parameshwar|Neesa M P|Anwar Ali
- Payye Veeshum (Aanandam) – Sachin Warrier|Ashwin Gopakumar, Sneha Warrier|Anu Elizabeth Jose
- Mazhaye Mazhaye (James & Alice) – Gopi Sunder|Karthik, Abhaya Hiranmayi|BK Harinarayanan
- Minungum Minnaminunge (Oppam) – 4 Musics|M G Sreekumar, Sreya Jayadeep|BK Harinarayanan
- Pashyathi (Edavappathi) – Ramesh Narayan|Madhushree Narayan|Jayadeva
- Ennilerinju (Jacobinte Swargaraajyam) – Shaan Rahman|Rzee, Sithara Krishnakumar|Rzee
Honorary Mentions
- Vaarthingale (Kali) – Gopi Sunder|Divya S Menon|BK Harinarayanan
- Thira Thira (Guppy) – Vishnu Vijay|Madhuvanthi Narayan, Suchith Suresan, Vijayan Ambalappuzha|Vinaayak Sasikumar
- Minni Chinnum (Kolu Mittayi) – Sreeraj Sahajan|Sreeraj Sahajan|Lakshmi Ennappaadam
- Podimeesha (Pa Va) – Anand Madhusoodhanan|P Jayachandran|Santhosh Varma
- Innaleyum (Kavi Uddeshichathu?) – Vinu Thomas|Arun Alat|Rafeeq Ahammed
Apple Music playlist here.
Tamil Top 25
- Ey Sandakkaara (Irudhi Suttru) – Santhosh Narayanan|Dhee|Vivek
- Raasali (Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada) – A R Rahman|Sathya Prakash, Shashaa Tirupati|Thamarai
- Vaanam Paarthen (Kabali) – Santhosh Narayanan|Pradeep Kumar|Kabilan
- Paaruruvaaya (Thaarai Thappattai) – Ilayaraja|Surmukhi, Sathya Prakash|Manikkavasagar
- Chellamma (Joker) – Sean Roldan|M Lalitha Sudha, K Perumal, Sean Roldan|Ramesh Vaidya
- Elandha Pazham (Aandavan Kattalai) – K|Yogi Sekar|Gnanakaravel
- Domer-u Lord-u (Jil Jung Juk) – Vishal Chandrashekhar|Anthony Daasan, Kavita Thomas|Vivek
- Uyire En Uyirena (Zero) – Nivas K Prasanna|Anirudh Ravichander|Kabilan
- Daavuya (Remo) – Anirudh Ravichander|Santhosh Narayanan|Ku Karthik
- Ei Suzhali (Kodi) – Santhosh Narayanan|Vijaynarain Rangarajan|Vivek
- Neruppu Da (Kabali) – Santhosh Narayanan|Arunraja Kamaraj|Arunraja Kamaraj
- Thaimai (Theri) – G V Prakash Kumar|Bombay Jayashree|Pulavar Pulamaipithan
- Avalum Naanum (Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada) – A R Rahman|Vijay Yesudas|Pavendar Bharathidasan
- Adiyae Azhage (Oru Naal Koothu) – Justin Prabhakaran|Sean Roldan, Padmalatha|Vivek
- Red Road-u (Jil Jung Juk) – Vishal Chandrashekhar|Santhosh Narayanan, Sean Roldan, Vishal Chandrashekhar|Deeraj Vaidy
- Nenjukkulla (Kidaari) – Darbuka Siva|Sanjana Kalamanje|Ekadesi
- Imsai Rani (Aandavan Kattalai) – K|Karthik|Gnanakaravel
- Rotora Paadhayile (Ammani) – K|Gana Bala|Na Muthukumar
- Kannamma (Ko-2) – Leon James|Inno Genga, Chinmayi|Na Muthukumar
- Pona Usuru (Thodari) – D Imman|Shreya Ghoshal, Haricharan|Yuga Bharathi
- Konji Pesida Venaam (Sethupathi) – Nivas K Prasanna|Sriram Parthasarathy, Chithra|Na Muthukumar
- Jasmine-u (Joker) – Sean Roldan|Sundarayyar|Yuga Bharathi
- Maya Nadhi (Kabali) – Santhosh Narayanan| Ananthu, Pradeep Kumar, Swetha Mohan|Uma Devi
- Thendral Varum (Oyee) – Ilayaraja|Karthik, Priya Hemesh|Vivekha
- Naan Un (24) – A R Rahman|Arijit Singh, Chinmayi|Madhan Karky
Honorary Mentions
- Vaa Machaane (Irudhi Suttru) – Santhosh Narayanan|Sean Roldan|Muthamil
- Sirikkaadhey (Remo) – Anirudh Ravichander|Arjun Kanungo & Srinidhi Venkatesh|Vignesh Shivan
- Kannai Vittu (Iru Mugan) – Harris Jayaraj|Tipu, Pravin Saivi & Srimathumitha|Karky
- Polla Paiyya (Rekka) – D Imman|Shweta Mohan, Haricharan|Yuga Bharathi
- Endha Pakkam (Dharmadurai) – Yuvan Shankar Raja|Chinmayi, Rahul Nambiar|Vairamuthu
Apple Music playlist here.
Non film Top 25
- Main Wohi Hoon (Gulzar in conversation with Tagore) – Shreya Ghoshal, Shantanu Moitra, Gulzar
- Kahin Na Kahin (The Story Now) – Papon
- I Love You Baby, I Love You Doll (Ocean) – Parekh & Singh
- Aalaayaal Thara Venam – Masala Coffee
- Latha (Suno) – Shilpa Rao
- Dil Beparvah (Dewarists) – Ankur Tewari, Prateek Kuhad
- Bairi Bindiya (Antarman) – Antarman
- Pranayame (Music Mojo) – Everafter
- Yehi Zindagi Hai (Sifar) – 3
- Never Wanted You (Unbound) – Roshni Baptist
- Land of Gold (Land of Gold) – Anoushka Shankar feat. Alev Lenz
- Memories (Dewarists) – Papon, Nucleya
- Vishweshwara (Music Mojo) – Santosh Chandran Indo Flamenco
- Main Ghoomta Hoon (Gulzar in conversation with Tagore) – Shaan, Shantanu Moitra, Gulzar
- Ayyo Vayye (Music Mojo) – Oorali
- Junkeri (Maya) – Bipul Chhetri
- Tune Kaha – Prateek Kuhad
- Happy Place – Vasuda Sharma feat. Nicolette Gore
- Jhoom (Side A) – Ankur Tewari feat. Zoe Viccaji & Sandunes
- Sundown (Shadowlines) – Flux feat. Sabiyha
- Snowflake (Up) – Karsh Kale feat. Ranjit Arapurakal & Papon
- Call (Sanjay Divecha and Secret) – Sanjay Divecha
- Moovandan (Music Mojo) – Amrutam Gamaya
- Hori Hori (Classical Unwind) – Sniti Mishra
- Zero Hour (Dreamcatcher) – Dualist Inquiry feat. Kavya Trehan
Apple Music Playlist here.
Miscellaneous
- Yad Lagla (Sairat – Marathi) – Ajay Atul|Ajay Gogavale|Ajay Atul
- Sairat Zaala Ji (Sairat – Marathi) – Ajay Atul|Ajay Gogavale, Chinmayi|Ajay Atul, Nagraj Manjule
- Naa Ee Sanjege (Godhi Banna Sadharna Mykattu – Kannada) – Charan Raj|Siddhanth|Rakshit Shetty
- Katheyondu (Godhi Banna Sadharna Mykattu – Kannada) – Charan Raj|Arun Kamath, Sparsha R K|Sharath Bhagavan
- Vaat Disu De (Jaundya Na Balasaheb – Marathi) – Ajay Atul|Ajay Gogavale, Yogita Godbole|Rooh
- Tomake Chuye Dilam (Bastu Shaap – Bengali) – Indradeep Dasgupta|Arijit Singh|Srijato
- Raja Ranir (Bastu Shaap – Bengali) – Indradeep Dasgupta|Shreya Ghoshal|Srijato
- Tomar Shawhorey (Shaheb Bibi Golaam – Bengali) – Anupam Roy|Anjan Dutt|Anupam Roy
- Mugilu Matte Matte (Putta Tirugisi Nodi – Kannada) – Dheerendra Doss|Joel Dubba|Jayanth Kalkini
- Yaarige and all that Jazz (Putta Tirugisi Nodi – Kannada) – Dheerendra Doss|Adithi Kalkunte|Da Ra Bendre
- Kolkata (Praktan – Bengali) – Anupam Roy|Anupam Roy, Shreya Ghoshal|Anupam Roy
- Tumi Jake (Praktan – Bengali) – Anupam Roy|Iman Chakrabarti|Anupam Roy
- Yedha Loyallo (Guppedantha Prema – Telugu) – Navneeth Sundar|Shashaa Tirupati, Karthik|Ganesh Salaadi
- Sakhiya Sakhiya (Guppedantha Prema – Telugu) – Navneeth Sundar|Vandana Srinivas|Vanamali
- Kasa Jeev Guntala (Phuntroo – Marathi) – Hrishikesh-Saurabh-Jasraj|Ketaki Mategaonkar|Mandar Cholkar
- Pakka Local (Janatha Garage – Telugu) – Devi Sri Prasad|Geetha Madhuri, Sagar|Ramajogayya Shastry
Merry Christmas, and a Happy 2017 to all!
