Baratiya Natiya Aakhiya Marata by Tuntun Yadav, Shilpi Raj

Baratiya Natiya Aakhiya Marata is one of those rare Bhojpuri tracks that manages to feel both fresh and familiar the moment it begins. Raushan Rauk sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

Tuntun Yadav, Shilpi Raj inhabits this song completely, making every phrase feel like it was written specifically for this voice. The song is tied to a talented ensemble cast, whose presence gives Baratiya Natiya Aakhiya Marata a visual dimension that fans of the film will always associate with it.

2022 was a strong year for Bhojpuri music, and Baratiya Natiya Aakhiya Marata was among the reasons why. Listeners have described the experience of Baratiya Natiya Aakhiya Marata differently — romantic, melancholic, uplifting — which suggests the song is large enough to hold many truths.

Running to 2:51, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Years from now, Baratiya Natiya Aakhiya Marata will still be the track that plays at the right moment and lands exactly as it did the first time.