Rapper UNIYAL (Kartikey Uniyal) has released his latest track ‘Namo Narayan’, a song that explores life in the Himalayas by blending Garhwali folk traditions with contemporary rap. Opening with a stark image of this summer’s deadly heat, the song weaves together prayers for protection and the struggles of mountain life .
UNIYAL invokes deities while describing how demons have arrived disguised as humans and local gods have become sad . “My songs are usually based on things I see, hear and feel around me,” says the Uttarakhand-born artist, who blends Garhwali folk with Hindi and English rap .
Folk roots, modern sound
The song fuses regional storytelling with the traditional hudka alongside contemporary production . UNIYAL’s creative process involves first listening to the music, letting the thoughts flow naturally. His music producer, Soumya, created the beat, after which UNIYAL incorporated what he felt according to the sound. Musicians Rakesh Manral and Shadow Evergreen then recorded their parts .
UNIYAL started his music career with hip-hop but has always sought to merge traditional roots and folk sounds into his work. He draws inspiration from ‘Jagar’, an ancient Himalayan ritual of invoking local gods, along with chants and instruments such as hudka, thali, and dhol damau .
“We have been listening to them since childhood, and they connect us as a community. All weddings, cultural fairs, get-togethers and festivals have specific lok geets and nritya attached to them, which I have seen and performed as well. Although back then I never imagined becoming a musician, now when I look back, I believe they played a part in shaping me,” he shares .
A plea for the mountains
The themes of ‘Namo Narayan’ are explicitly stated in the lyrics—climate change, pollution, degradation of natural resources, deforestation, unplanned development, faith, labour, resilience and lack of education . The song is a plea to people to stand for the cause and a prayer to local gods to protect the mountains and their communities .
UNIYAL explains his layered approach to the song: “I wanted to give multiple messages through the song: don’t give up even if things are not working your way, stay away from drugs, have faith in God, but never stop doing your part. Also, how important it is for everyone, especially women, to stand up for themselves” .
A growing voice
Beyond his latest release, UNIYAL’s previous work has also carried the raw energy of the hills. His 2024 track ‘Vartmaan’ similarly crackled with defiance, addressing the illusions of modern life and the struggles of his people .
Currently, he is working on a new album, which he says will be different . With ‘Namo Narayan’, UNIYAL continues to carve a unique space in India’s independent music scene—one where the ancient sounds of the Himalayas meet the urgent voice of a generation fighting for the future of their homeland.
