UNIYAL & Soumya Rawat’s “Vertmaan” Meaning Explained

“Vertmaan,” by UNIYAL & Soumya Rawat, functions as a powerful and unsettling protest song, weaving together a societal critique of modern India, anxieties about technological surveillance, and a deeply personal journey of disillusionment. Sung by UNIYAL & Soumya Rawat, the song, whose title means “present,” explores the fractured and often deceptive nature of contemporary existence.

The song has resonated deeply, achieving viral popularity on platforms like Instagram (over 450,000 reels have been uploaded using its opening lines of verse 1 as of 22nd March, 2025), demonstrating its ability to connect with widespread feelings of unease. This article will explore how “Vertmaan” uses a unique blend of surreal imagery, stream-of-consciousness reflections, direct social commentary, and personal narrative to create its powerful effect. The lyrics will be examined within the context of the song’s broader message, highlighting its multifaceted nature

Song Title Meaning and How it Links with The Song

The title “Vertmaan,” translating to “present,” is the entry point to a complex exploration of contemporary life. The song uses the “present” as a lens to examine:

• The Deceptive Present: The song argues that the commonly perceived present is an “eye-trick,” a manipulated reality masking deeper problems.
• The Societal Present: The song directly addresses current problems in Uttarakhand and India: corruption, exploitation, and social decay.
• The Technological Present: The song critiques the pervasive surveillance and control exerted by powerful entities and individuals.
• The Personal Present: The song delves into the artist’s own experiences, reflecting a journey through hardship and a search for meaning.

Reflections of Disillusionment, Protest, and Personal Struggle in “Vertmaan”: Lyrics of Complexity

“Vertmaan’s” lyrics are a complex tapestry, skillfully interweaving diverse threads of meaning. Surreal imagery, like the shepherd within a doll, evokes a distorted reality. Stream-of-consciousness passages reflect internal turmoil and the fragmented nature of modern experience.

Direct social commentary, particularly the plea of the marginalized Adivasi community, grounds the abstract in concrete struggles against exploitation. Technological anxieties are voiced. The artist’s personal narrative adds vulnerability and depth. These techniques—surrealism, fragmented thoughts, stark social critique, and personal reflection—combine to create a powerful and unsettling portrait of disillusionment, protest, and the ongoing search for meaning in a complex and often deceptive “present.”

Intro: A Surreal Dreamscape

The intro, with its imagery of a shepherd woven from a sweater and hidden inside a doll, immediately establishes a dreamlike, almost nonsensical tone, hinting at hidden meanings and the potential corruption of traditional values.

Verse 1: Fragmented Reality, Societal Critique, and a Three-Part Philosophy

Verse 1 plunges into a stream of consciousness, reflecting the disorientation of the present. The opening, viral lines offer a three-part philosophy of time:

• “Vartmaan aankhon ka dhoka hai” (Present is illusion): This establishes the theme of deception.
• “Bhoot seekhne ka mauka hai” (Past is something that you can learn from): This highlights the importance of learning from history.
• “Bhavishya umeedo ki nauka hai” (Future is full of hope): This offers a glimmer of possibility.

These lines, which have achieved viral fame, set the stage for a deeper exploration of the present. The verse continues, reflecting the artist’s engagement (“roka”) with music as a means to express his thoughts and critiques of society: “Aaj mera sangeet se roka hai…Dharti ek maya nagri hai” (Today, I am engaged with music…the earth is a city of illusion).

The verse then shifts to a darker tone, acknowledging widespread corruption and the link between drug addiction and crime: “Criminal toh har ek koi hota hai / Smack toh chori ka mauka hai” (Everyone is a criminal in some way / Smack is a chance for theft). The line “Honi ko kab kisne roka hai?” (Who can stop what is destined to happen?) expresses a sense of fatalism.

Verse 2: Technological Anxiety, Elite Power, and the Plea of the Marginalized

Verse 2 shifts between a critique of technological surveillance, a commentary on the power of elites, and a powerful plea from a marginalized community.

The opening lines express a chilling reality of the digital age: “Mere dimaag mein kya hai, meri maa ni jaanti, mere phone ko pata hai” (What’s in my mind, my mother doesn’t know, but my phone does). This highlights the invasive nature of technology and the loss of privacy.

The song then directly addresses the power and knowledge held by figures like Elon Musk, Kim Jong Un, and the religious organization ISKCON, highlighting their influence and control over different aspects of life: information, fear, and religion, respectively.

The verse culminates in a powerful and repeated plea from the Adivasi community of Uttarakhand: “Hum keeda jadi ugane wale…Mat looto humko, mai haath jodta hu” (We are the ones who grow keeda jadi…Don’t loot us, I fold my hands). The artist describes their traditional way of life, their connection to the land, and their contributions to society (“Devta nachaane wale, bhoot bhagane wale, ann ugane wale…”). This section is a direct cry against exploitation and a plea for the preservation of their culture and livelihood.

Interlude: Acknowledging the Silence

The brief interlude (“Sahi bol raha hai lekin / Kyuki pahad ki kuchh bhi awaaz nai aa rahi hai”) serves as a meta-commentary, acknowledging the song’s message and lamenting the silencing of marginalized voices, represented by the “mountains.”

Verse 3: The Artist’s Personal Journey

Verse 3 shifts to a deeply personal narrative, revealing the artist’s own struggles and experiences. He reflects on feeling lost (“Raste se bhatka tha”), afraid of crowds (“bheed se mai darta tha”), and prone to conflict (“Bhai se mai ladta tha”).

He critiques the rote learning of the Indian education system (“School poora rat’ta tha”) and describes the precariousness of his academic journey (“Gyarvi mein fail hote-hote bacha, pariksha ek satta tha”).

The verse concludes with nostalgic memories of his village life (“Gaon mein makkhan tha, gaon mein mattha tha…”), contrasting the simplicity of the past with the harsh realities of the present. The final image of jumping into stinging nettles (“Kandali mein kood maari, zakhmi ho sakta tha”) symbolizes the risks and potential for harm in his environment.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Cry for Understanding

“Vertmaan” is not a song with a simple message. It’s a complex and layered work of art that uses a variety of lyrical techniques to explore the multifaceted nature of the “present.” It’s a protest song, a lament, a personal reflection, and a social commentary all woven together. The song’s viral success, particularly its opening lines, demonstrates its ability to connect with a broad audience experiencing similar feelings of disillusionment and anxiety. Ultimately, “Vertmaan” is a powerful cry for understanding, a call to see through the illusions of the present, to acknowledge the struggles of the marginalized, and to confront the challenges of a rapidly changing world.