Once celebrated for revolutionizing film music in the 90s and captivating millions across Tamil and Telugu cinema, Maestro Ilayaraja finds himself in headlines again—not for his music, but for his persistent battle over copyright issues. The iconic composer has sought legal routes to reclaim the rights to his songs, previously sold to music companies for physical formats and online streaming.
This legal saga has seen its fair share of twists and turns. Previously, during the era of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Ilayaraja’s insistence on royalties led to a well-publicized rift between them. Although they reconciled later, the harmony was never fully restored. Now, with the contracts with music companies expiring, Ilayaraja argues that the rights to these songs should revert to him.
In a surprising turn of events, the court ruled in favor of the music companies, stating that they could continue using Ilayaraja’s songs without his direct permission. His lawyer passionately argued that Ilayaraja's contributions to music set him apart as a seminal figure in the industry, yet the judges pointed out that even giants like Muthuswami Dikshitar, Tyagaraja, and Shyama Shastri had shared similar cultural impacts without such conflicts.
The judgment has set a concerning precedent for artists fighting for their intellectual property, casting doubt on the effectiveness of copyright laws in protecting composers’ rights. With another hearing scheduled for next Wednesday, industry analysts are skeptical about Ilayaraja's chances of winning. Despite his status and previous avoidance of controversies, the aging maestro's current legal battles highlight a troubling aspect of the music industry’s treatment of legendary artists.
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