Who gave them the Authority?
It was the year 1949; the movie Mangayarkarasi and the song Kaadhal Kanirasamey – an absolute xerox copy of the Tyaagaraaja krithi – Naadha thanumanisum Sankaram in the Raagam Chitharanjani.
The song was set in the same notes and tune of the Tyaagaraaja krithi line by line – note by note. It was no doubt a big hit with the cinema fans. But… who gave the music composer or the producer of the movie the authority to copy a classical krithi absolutely? Can anyone imagine this happening to a Beethoven’s composition?
…Definitely not! None would be spared or recognized for such an attempt of this kind in the Western Musical hemisphere. This typical Indian movie musical trend having its origin somewhere in 1949 has found its way into the modern times of Indian Cinema too with ease with none to question this nasty practice. I resolve here not to divulge the names of the recent Indian movie composers who have adapted this practice, but only name a few compositions to bring this practice to lime light for the sheer fact that these music composers are no doubt one of the best melody composers Indian sub-continent has ever produced. Some of these composers have taken Indian music to global heights.
The song Maaman voodu machhi voodu in the movie Ellam inba mayam is set in the same notes and tune of the famous classical composition Raara veynu in Bilahari Raagam line by line. It was a big hit. More audaciously, we had the Raaga of a Tyaagaraaja Krithi Marimarininne changed to Charumathi instead of the original in the movie Sindhu Bhairavi.
Raasaathi Ennusuru Ennudhilla from the movie Thirudaa Thirudaa is no doubt Padhasarojamuna sequence of the Patnam Subramania Iyer’s Navaraagamaalika varnam set beautifully in a sequence of nine Raagas. It will take a few seconds for an expert musician to tell that the song Pathinettu Vayasu in the movie Sooryan is Kandha sashti kavacham – Sashtiya nokka Saravana bhavanar repeated meticulously. It is obvious that the song Karuppaana Kaiyaaley in the movie Thamirabharani is a deliberate repeat of the beautiful devotional song Karpporanaayagiye kanakavalli kaali magamaayi karumaariyamma.
Why should the music composers go for desecration of such classical or devotional songs that deserve a special place, respect and copyright protection? Who is to blame – the composer or the population that accepts such compositions? Who is to take up the issue – the frontline classical and devotional musicians or the rasikaas of classical/devotional music?
Let’s be clear……We want good music; we want innovations in film music but not at all this way.
|
Author: Prof. Ramanan – (c) IsaiArangam |
Good point! People don’t even think of this!
Would been nice if you could have given some examples of some recent songs which were copied. Nice article anyways and I think, we should have certain laws to protect these songs.
very nice…if u give any example video like last articles it wud be very helpful
how u gathering 1946′s info and Al?
wow! prof Ramanan go to 1946 music life…In future
Nice
Good article mate, I also think, we should have certain laws to protect those songs.
Maarghali Poove Prelude from the movie May Maadham is also a copy…
Good suggestion!!
@harey Yes u are rite harey…but it is not possible :negative:
but now a days ppls are njoyng with that kind of musics only im nt sayng abu al
no one gave them authority..they themselves take and ruling
Wow fantastic article
neatly done Guys
nice!
Thank u so much B-)
Usually i don’t like to read article..but guys your article is professional and quite interesting
All must have to shout then only it would be possible
Thank U all for ur Support
Prof.Ramanan
We only have to raise our hand to notify them this is wrong and all…….
wow amazing article guys it is something different B-)
Now Interesting subject, Rights and royalties.
To be honest its fault of neither sides in question. Indian music industry is not strictly governed by any organisation such as PRS or MCPS. Even thought there is theoretically an organisation called IPRS, but it isn’t effective.
They don’t pay royalty to neither mechanical nor creative copyright owner of any creative work unlike in western countries. I am still getting the royalty paid for some of my works i have done years ago.
Can any of us honestly say that we buy each and every CD and PAY for them? By law a portion of what we pay to a CD will be paid to whoever owns the creative and mechanical rights of those works.
Do you guys know that one of the songs which is sung in almost every country is actually copyrighted? Happy birthday to you.. Happy birthday too you…. yes this track is actually owned by Time Warner, who bought the copyright on the song eleven years ago for $12 million and earn about 1 mill every year on royalties.
Tune jacking or beat ripping also practised in western countries as well, but royalty or a lump sum will be paid to the initial rights owner. I know of someone paying for just using 1 bar of loop.
About who gave the authority to recycle old golden tunes or kantha sasti kavasam. I’m not sure, but some of them are in public domain. Kantha sasti kavasam as far as i heard was written in 1815- 1876 period. Copy righted work become a public domain after the 70th anniversary of the last remaining songwriter and/or composer’s death of the track ( based on creative rights ) AND the recorded performance of that song must have been released to the public more than 50 years ago (based on mechanical rights).
But the main reason could be that we are demanding so much from so few. They are not given the time for them to compose something original. Constantly being pushed by the directors and producers for more tracks and before they finish one film they commit to other. But then again it’s very hard for them to come up with 100% original. The best music director is who can take ideas from old works and then make it their own. Not copy straight and just add more drum and synths over it.
thanks for ur nice informative feedback
Prof.Ramanan
:good: :rose: :good:
Just because these have been copied doesnt mean that its original version has lost its flavour, its just been improvised and taken, though copyrights is a concerned topic these days . But its shame on the part of those people to have copied it from some other song. :wacko: :scratch: