Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam and maestro Ilaiyaraaja had a fall out about two years ago with the latter slapping a legal notice on the former to stop rendering his songs in concerts as he is the holder of the copyrights. Ilaiyaraaja’s contention was that his compositions should not be used or sung without paying him royalties.
During this spat, SPB wrote on his social media page, “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 management 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… 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 cannot perform Isaijnani's compositions from to day…”
In a video released a few months ago, Ilaiyaraaja had said, “If artistes sing my songs in free concerts, they don’t have to pay me. But when they’re earning, why shouldn’t I have a share in it? I think this will be a beneficial move for upcoming artistes too.”
Now, putting all these issues aside, SPB and Ilaiyaraaja are likely to patch up, we hear. Sources in the know say that on the occasion of Ilayaraja’s 76th birthday, the ace singer may be singing his compositions. The other singers expected to participate in this event are KJ Yesudas, Chithra, Mano, etc.
It may be recalled that SPB stayed away from Ilaiyaraaja’s concert that happened in February this year. Ilaiyaraaja and SPB were a formidable combo that gave some of the best chartbusters in the history of Tamil cinema. Will they get back together on stage again?
(Content provided by Digital Native)