New Delhi: Popular singer S P Balasubrahmanyam has received a legal notice from the National Award-winning composer Ilaiyaraaja citing copyright infringement for performing his compositions at an ongoing music tour.
In a Facebook post shared on March 18, Balasubrahmanyam, revealed that since he has received a notice, his team cannot perform songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja during the remaining part of the tour.
Read his post:
“Dear all, Greetings from US. Had great shows in Seattle and LA last weekend. Grateful for the love you all showered upon us and the professional way the organizers conducted the shows.
Couple of days back, an Attorney representing Shri.Iliaya Raja, sent legal notices to me, Smt. Chithra, Charan, organisers of the concerts in different cities and the managements of all the venues, which says that we are not supposed to perform compositions of Shri. Iliayaraja without his permission, if so, it is breaking the copyright law and have to pay huge financial penalties and face legal action. Let me say, I am ignorant of these legalities.
My Son designed this world tour and we kick started this SPB50 concert tour in August in Toronto, then we performed in Russia, Srilanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and did lots of shows in India too. I did not get any feelers from Shri. Raja’s office at that time. I don’t know why now when we started our US tour. As I said earlier, I am ignorant of the law. If it is a law, so be it and I obey it.
In these circumstances, our troupe can not perform Isaijnani’s compositions from to day. But the show should happen.By God’s grace I have sung lots of other composer’s songs too which we will present. Hope you all will bless our concerts as usual.
I am always grateful for your love and affection.
I only request you all not to have any harsh opinions and discussions regarding this. If this is the design of God, I obey it with reverence.
Sarvejanah Sukhinobhavanthu.
I request all friends, music lovers and especially all media persons, not to make I.Raja- SPB issue sensational. It is unfortunate. That is all. Show has to go on, life has to move on. In God’s creation all are good and equal. Thank you.”
Notices were also sent to the organisers of the tour titled SPB – 50, his son SPB Charan and singer Chithra. The world music tour is being held to celebrate the composer’s 50 years of association with the music industry.
Composer Ilaiyaraaja has not yet reacted on the issue.
