In a significant development in the music copyright world, the Supreme Court of India on Friday addressed the controversy surrounding the popular song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ from the Tamil blockbuster ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’. Renowned composer AR Rahman, facing allegations of using elements from a traditional classical piece without proper attribution, informed the court of his willingness to accord due credit to the late Junior Dagar Brothers.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Rahman, submitted before a bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi that the composer recognizes the song’s inspiration from the ‘Shiv Stuti’, a revered composition in the Dagarvani gharana of Hindustani classical music. The court was assured that credits for the performances by Ustad N. Fayazuddin Dagar and Ustad N. Zahiruddin Dagar would be prominently featured.
The bench recorded this agreement and directed that the updated credits be reflected across all social media platforms and OTT services within five weeks. However, the court emphasized that this interim arrangement does not prejudice the ongoing civil suit in the Delhi High Court, which will proceed on its merits.
This ruling effectively disposes of the Special Leave Petition filed by classical vocalist Ustad Fayaz Wasifuddin Dagar, challenging a Delhi High Court order that had vacated an earlier interim injunction. In prior hearings, the apex court had praised the unparalleled contributions of the Dagarvani tradition to Indian classical music, urging parties to resolve disputes through mutual respect rather than protracted litigation.
The case underscores growing concerns in the entertainment industry over intellectual property rights in music, particularly when blending traditional folk and classical elements with modern compositions. Fans and music aficionados await how this resolution unfolds, potentially setting precedents for future collaborations.