Manntra

Manntra formed in 2013 with Nikhil Udupa on vocals, Karthik Mani on guitar, Vinay Ramakrishnan on bass, and Nandini Srikar. They started blending Indian classical and folk elements with Western rock and electronic textures, which drew some criticism from traditionalists who weren't sure about the mix.

Their song "Ori Ori" became their most recognizable track, sparking conversations about love and relationships. It appears on their 2020 album of the same name, which followed their self-titled debut from 2017. Other songs like "Slave" and "Constant Lies" show their range within this hybrid sound.

They've kept working with that core lineup, with Udupa writing lyrics and handling vocals while Mani and Ramakrishnan shape the instrumental layers. The band hasn't chased mainstream formulas, sticking instead to the atmospheric, sometimes haunting quality that defines their music.