Unni Vavavo a hit again, thanks to Alia Bhatt’s kid

Kochi: Released three decades ago, it was only natural that the hit song ‘Unni Vavavo' composed by Mohan Sithara would go into ‘sleep mode'. Thanks to Bollywood star actor Alia Bhatt's mention, the lullaby from the movie Santhwanam is enjoying a dream run on social media, with views for the official video on YouTube crossing 1.5cr.
It all happened after Bhatt revealed during a TV show that the song sung by K S Chitra is her daughter Raha's favourite bedtime tune, and that how her husband and superstar Ranbir Kapoor too has learned it.
"Our nurse has been singing the Malayalam song Unni Vavavo to Raha since she was born. She requests it when she goes to bed. Now Ranbir too has learned to sing Unni Vavavo," she said.
A comment below the video said, "After Alia Bhatt sang this song, the Malayalam song is now pan-Indian," while another person thanked her for introducing the "wonderful masterpiece".
Sithara said the tune's simplicity was the main reason for it becoming popular even among tiny tots. "I consider it a divine blessing to have created a melody like Unni Vavavo. The song's simplicity makes it accessible to everyone, regardless of their proficiency in Malayalam. The uncomplicated tune, orchestration, and lyrics all come together for a charming song. The easy-to-follow melody and simple language made it a children's favourite," said Sithara.
He recalled the experience while composing the tune. "I was staying at Aluva Palace. One night, I was wide awake around 2am when I saw a shadowy figure in the darkness which frightened me and left me feverish. Despite my condition, the tune came to me over the next two days as if it was born from the fever. Later, Kaithapram (Damodaran Namboothiri) wrote the lyrics."
Former Indian captain M S Dhoni's daughter Ziva too had become a social media sensation by singing Malayalam songs like Ambalappuzhe Unnikkannanodu, which she had learned from her Malayali caretaker ‘Sheila aunty'.