Delhi HC to set the right note on Rahman's song

Both Shiva Stuti Veera Raja Veera are based on same raga, Say Composers

- Pavan Burugula, Krishna Yadav

The Delhi High Court will soon rule on copyright protection for traditional music after the song, Veera Raja Veera, composed by music director A.R. Rahman for a Tamil movie, Ponniyin Selvan 2, was contested by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, a renowned classical singer.

Dagar alleged copyright infringement, asserting that Rahman and other producers of the film replicated the original composition, Shiva Stuti, from the 1970s, composed by his father and uncle.

Dagar contended that despite the different lyrics, the musical structure, rhythm (taal), and beat of the song closely resemble the original Shiva Stuti composition. The case is pending before the court.

Until 1992, copyright laws in India provided protection to original works until the author's demise, plus 50 years, but subsequently, was extended to 60 years through an ordinance in Parliament, specifically to extend the time of reprint for Rabindranath Tagore's work..