What is the Meaning of Vartmaan by UNIYAL? Lyrics Explained

Meaning in a Nutshell

“Vartmaan” by UNIYAL is a deeply layered and complex hip-hop track that dissects the nature of the “present” (Vartmaan). The song portrays the present as a deceptive illusion, shaped by a past we must learn from and a future we can only hope for. On its surface, it’s a philosophical and cynical look at modern life, touching on everything from crime to destiny. However, at its heart, “Vartmaan” is a powerful cry from the mountains of Uttarakhand. It protests the silent exploitation of its people and culture, critiques the surveillance of big tech, and grounds this large-scale commentary in the artist’s own nostalgic and rustic childhood. It’s a song that asks us to look past the “deception” of the present and hear the voices that are being silenced.

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Emerging from the Himalayas, UNIYAL, with producer Soumya Rawat, has delivered a track that is as raw and rugged as the landscape it represents. “Vartmaan” is not a straightforward song; it’s a dense tapestry of philosophical thought, sharp social commentary, and deeply personal nostalgia. It stands as a powerful example of India’s growing regional rap movement, where artists are using their unique cultural context to tell urgent, unfiltered stories. The song challenges the listener by weaving together the innocence of a mountain village with the cynicism of a world under surveillance, creating a poignant portrait of a present day that is chaotic, conflicted, and calling out to be heard. In this article, we explore the meaning of this song, breaking down its metaphors and emotions.

The Core Meaning: The Present as a Tangled Reality

The central theme of “Vartmaan” is the exploration of the “present” as a complex and deceptive reality. UNIYAL opens by stating, “Vartmaan aankhon ka dhoka hai” (“The present is a deception of the eyes”). He argues that what we perceive as the “now” is a tangled web of influences. It is shaped by the “bhoot” (past), which he frames as a “seekhne ka mauka” (a chance to learn), and pulled forward by the “bhavishya” (future), which is an “umeedo ki nauka” (a boat of hope). The core meaning is that to understand our present, we must look beyond its surface. We must acknowledge the lessons of our personal and collective pasts and recognize the forces—from corporate surveillance to systemic exploitation—that are silently shaping our future.

The Digital Panopticon: “Mere Phone Ko Pata Hai”

In a striking critique of modern life, UNIYAL exposes the erosion of privacy in the digital age. The lines, “Mere dimaag mein kya hai, meri maa ni jaanti, mere phone ko pata hai” (“My mother doesn’t know what’s in my mind, but my phone knows”), capture a chilling generational and technological disconnect. The intimate knowledge once held by family is now outsourced to technology, creating a new kind of alienation.

He drives this point home with a direct and relatable example: “Kal raat saadhe nau baje teen roti khayi, ye Elon ko pata hai” (“Last night at 9:30, I ate three rotis, Elon knows this”). By naming Elon Musk, he puts a face to the faceless entities of big tech that mine our data for profit. This isn’t just about targeted ads; it’s about a fundamental loss of personal sovereignty. The most mundane details of our lives are no longer our own; they are data points in a corporate ledger, a reality that is a stark and unsettling feature of the modern “Vartmaan.”

The Cry of the Mountains: “Mat Looto Humko”

The emotional heart of the song is the second half of Verse 2, where UNIYAL becomes a voice for the people of the Himalayas. He lists the traditional identities of his community: growers of the valuable “keeda jadi” (cordyceps fungus), shepherds (“Gor-bhais charaane wale”), shamans who make deities dance (“Devta nachaane wale”), and simple farmers. This list paints a picture of a rich, self-sufficient culture deeply connected to the land.

Against this backdrop, his repeated, desperate plea—”Mat looto humko, mai haath jodta hu” (“Don’t loot us, I join my hands in prayer”)—is devastating. It is a cry against the exploitation of the mountains and its indigenous people by outside forces. He feels their resources, their culture, their land, and their children’s futures are being stolen. The interlude confirms this feeling of being ignored: “Pahad ki kuchh bhi awaaz nai aa rahi hai” (“The voice of the mountains isn’t being heard”). This section transforms the song from a personal reflection into a powerful political statement.

Metaphor 1: The Woven Shepherd (“Babli Ke Sweater Se Buna Gadariya”)

The song opens with a strange and beautiful metaphor: “A shepherd woven from Babli’s sweater, a shepherd hidden inside a doll.” The “gadariya” (shepherd) is a powerful symbol of a simple, pastoral, and traditional way of life. By describing this shepherd as being “woven” from a sweater or “hidden” inside a doll, UNIYAL introduces the central conflict between tradition and modernity.

This metaphor suggests that this pure, rustic identity is fragile in the modern world. It is either something we try to artificially create (weave) from modern materials or something innocent and childlike that we keep hidden deep inside our contemporary selves. It sets the stage for the entire song, questioning the authenticity of identity in a world that is rapidly changing.

Metaphor 2: The Present as an Illusion (“Vartmaan Aankhon Ka Dhoka Hai”)

The opening line of the first verse serves as the song’s primary philosophical metaphor. To call the present a “dhoka” (deception or illusion) is to challenge the listener’s perception of reality. UNIYAL suggests that what we see on the surface of modern life is misleading. We see progress, but he points to the underlying crime (“Criminal toh har ek koi hota hai”). We see order, but he points to the chaotic reality of smuggling and hustling. This metaphor asks us to be critical thinkers, to look beyond the immediate and question the systems and narratives that construct our “present.” It is a call to find the truth hidden beneath the deceptive surface of everyday life.

Key Phrase: “Bhoot Seekhne Ka Mauka Hai, Bhavishya Umeedo Ki Nauka Hai”

This couplet provides the conceptual framework for the entire song. “The past is a chance to learn, the future is a boat of hope.” This phrase shows that despite the cynical and bleak portrayal of the present, the artist has not given up. For UNIYAL, the “bhoot” (past) is not a source of trauma to be forgotten, but a well of lessons. His entire third verse, where he details his personal history—his struggles, his rustic childhood, his mistakes—is him engaging in this act of learning. The “bhavishya” (future) is not a guarantee but a fragile “boat of hope.” This hope is fueled by the lessons of the past and is the driving force behind his plea to protect his people, suggesting that by understanding where we come from, we can navigate towards a better future.

Behind the Music: The Voice of ‘Pahad’

Released in 2025, “Vartmaan” positions its artist UNIYAL and producer Soumya Rawat as vital new voices from the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The track is a powerful addition to the growing movement of regional and conscious hip-hop in India, where artists are moving beyond generic themes to tell stories that are deeply embedded in their local geography and culture. By using regional dialects (“Bhetau chu re”), referencing local flora (“keeda jadi”), and giving voice to the socio-economic issues faced by the people of the Himalayas (“Pahad”), UNIYAL crafts a piece of art that is both specific and universal. “Vartmaan” is a testament to the power of hip-hop as a tool for cultural assertion and social critique, proving that the most compelling stories often come from the voices that have, for too long, remained unheard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Song Questions

1. What is the main meaning of the song? The song is a multi-layered critique of the “Vartmaan” (present), portraying it as a deceptive reality where technology infringes on privacy, and indigenous cultures are exploited. At its heart, it is a plea from the people of the Indian mountains to be heard and respected.
2. Who are UNIYAL and Soumya Rawat? UNIYAL is the rapper/vocalist, and Soumya Rawat is the music producer behind the track. They are artists representing the voice and culture of the Uttarakhand region in India.
3. What is the overall mood of the song? The mood is complex and shifts throughout the song. It is philosophical, cynical, angry, pleading, and nostalgic all at once. The overall feeling is one of raw urgency and unflinching honesty.
4. What genre of music is this? This song is best described as conscious or alternative hip-hop, with strong regional and folk influences.

Lyric-Based Questions

5. What does “Vartmaan aankhon ka dhoka hai” mean? It means “The present is a deception of the eyes.” It’s a philosophical statement suggesting that the surface reality of modern life is an illusion that masks deeper truths.
6. Why does the artist say his phone knows him better than his mother? This is a commentary on modern alienation and the surveillance of big tech. It highlights a world where our personal data is more intimately known by corporations than by our own families.
7. What is “keeda jadi”? “Keeda jadi” (Cordyceps) is a highly valuable medicinal fungus that grows in the high altitudes of the Himalayas. By mentioning it, UNIYAL is highlighting a specific, valuable natural resource of his region that is prone to exploitation.
8. What is the central plea in the line “Mat looto humko”? “Don’t loot us.” This is a direct and desperate plea from the people of the mountains against the exploitation of their natural resources, culture, and way of life by outside forces.
9. What does the interlude “Pahad ki kuchh bhi awaaz nai aa rahi hai” mean? It means “The voice of the mountains isn’t being heard.” It explicitly states the theme that the concerns and stories of the Himalayan people are being ignored by the mainstream.
10. What does the reference to Raipur’s “cigarette ka khoka” signify? It signifies a grounding in a specific, gritty, middle-class reality. It contrasts the song’s high-minded philosophy with the mundane and often bleak details of everyday life in a Tier-2 city.
11. What is the meaning of “Honi ko kab kisne roka hai?”? “Who has ever stopped destiny from happening?” This is a fatalistic statement that adds to the song’s cynical tone, suggesting that some outcomes are inevitable despite our best efforts.
12. What childhood memory is referenced in “Moze ki ball thi, haathon mein lattha tha”? This refers to a rustic childhood, playing cricket with a ball made of socks (“moze ki ball”) and a crude wooden stick or plank (“lattha”) as a bat, highlighting a past that was simple and resourceful.
13. What is “Kandali” that the artist jumped into? Kandali, also known as the Stinging Nettle, is a plant found in the Himalayas that causes a painful, stinging rash upon contact. Jumping into it is an act of youthful recklessness and a specific memory tied to the region’s flora.
14. What does the line “Gyarvi mein fail hote-hote bacha, pariksha ek satta tha” mean? It means “I barely avoided failing in the 11th grade, the exam was a gamble.” This line shows his personal struggles and rebellious attitude towards the formal education system.
15. Who is the “gadariya” in the intro? The “gadariya” (shepherd) is a metaphor for a pure, simple, pastoral identity connected to nature and tradition, which the artist feels is either hidden or fragile in the modern world.
16. Why does the artist say “Criminal toh har ek koi hota hai”? “Everyone is a criminal in some way.” This is a cynical observation on human nature and societal hypocrisy, suggesting that everyone breaks rules or commits moral transgressions, blurring the lines between right and wrong.
17. What is the significance of the phrase “dimaag mein keval ab—”? The line cuts off abruptly (“in my mind there is only now—”). This stylistic choice could represent a racing mind, censorship, or the inability to articulate the chaotic thoughts that define the present moment.
18. How does the third verse connect to the rest of the song? The third verse provides the personal “bhoot” (past) that the artist says we must learn from. It grounds the song’s broad philosophical and political statements in his own lived experience, making the critique more authentic.
19. What does “Devta nachaane wale” refer to? “The ones who make the deities dance.” This refers to the shamans or priests in Himalayan folk traditions who perform rituals where they channel local deities, often entering a trance-like state. It highlights the deep spiritual traditions of the region.
20. What is the overall message that UNIYAL is trying to convey? He is trying to convey that the present is a complex illusion that we must question. He is urging listeners to learn from the past, to see the hidden injustices in our society, and most importantly, to listen to the voices of marginalized communities, like those from his own mountain home, who are fighting to protect their identity and future.