Singer and songwriter Manthan has released “Badra,” his first song of 2026. The track brings together English alt-pop and Bundeli folk music, and features veteran actor and folk artist Raghubir Yadav.

The Story Behind the Song

“Badra” depicts the untold struggles of survivors of domestic violence. It follows a woman’s mental resilience, her confinement at home and the long journey towards freedom. The song uses the image of heavy, suffocating clouds to represent the person who inflicts oppression, and it explores the turmoil of a mind engaged in a constant inner struggle.

Folk Imagery, Modern Sound

The song bridges two musical worlds. Manthan wrote it, with English lyrics built around Bundeli folk traditions. Traditional folk songs often show people distressed by relentless rain and praying for it to stop, and Manthan uses that imagery as a metaphor. The storm stands for the mental burden carried by someone living in a violent or oppressive environment.

The Team

Raghubir Yadav is the featured artist, and his voice, according to the release, gives the song added weight. It was produced by Sharad Joshi and recorded by sound engineer Sumit Babbar. Photography is by Bharat Rawal, and graphic design is by Ashutosh Shukla of Banyan Infomedia.

Why It Matters

Folk music has long carried stories of hardship, and pairing it with an alt-pop sound may bring a sensitive subject to younger listeners. Domestic violence is widely under-reported, so art that puts it into public conversation can help, though it does not replace support services for those affected.