Delhi High Court to examine copyright violation claim against AR Rahman over Veera Raja Veera song

The Delhi High Court on Friday ordered music composer AR Rahman to produce the raw recording of Ponniyin Selvan Part-2 song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ after Indian classical singer Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar filed a copyright infringement suit against Rahman [Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar v/s Mr. A.R. Rahman & Ors]..Dagar, a Padma Shri awardee, moved the Court alleging that the composition of the song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ was copied from the song Shiva Stuti, composed by his father Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and uncle Zahiruddin Dagar. Dagar, therefore, sought credit for them across all platforms whenever the song is played. .After hearing the songs, Justice Prathiba M Singh observed that “there is definitely some kind of similarity in the beat and the taal (rhythm), there is no doubt about it”.“You will have to produce your raw recording without the embellishments or computer-generated stuff,” Justice Singh told the counsel representing Rahman. In the order, the Court clarified that it did not want to make any observations at the present stage but Rahman would have to respond to the allegations.“The plaintiff [Dagar] has attempted to establish infringement with the chart consisting of notations and beat. The defendant no 1 [Rahman] would be required to respond to the same,” Justice Singh said..In the suit, Dagar said that the rights in all the compositions of his father Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and uncle Zahirduddin Dagar belong to him. He submitted that he was the descendant of the family lineage of Dhrupad vocalists who have been singing in the Dagar Gharana for many generations. “Their style of singing has been described as the Dagar Vani and has a basis in Dhrupad classical music,” the Court was told.With regard to the controversy, it was submitted that one of the earliest compositions of Dagar's father and uncle is Shiva Stuti, which was sung in the 1970s. It was performed by Dagar’s father and uncle in various international concerts including the one held at the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam on June 22, 1978. It was also part of the album Shiva Mahadeva by the Dagar Brothers, the Court was informed. .Dagar added that the Veera Raja Veera song was based on the Shiva Stuti composition to which he owns rights. Hence, he prayed that an injunction should be granted against Rahman, the production companies Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, and the music record label Tips Industries, The Court was told that despite a brief telephonic conversation between Rahman and Dagar, in which the former assured that he would make an attempt to resolve the dispute, nothing was heard from him. Rahman’s counsel told the Court that he would need to seek instructions..Madras Talkies, in response to a notice from Dagar, had termed his claim of copyright infringement as misconceived and said that the song was a traditional song. It also claimed that Dagar’s attempt was to earn money and gain publicity. However, it added that it was willing to attempt an amicable resolution.Tips Industries said there was no originality claimed and the mere 'manner of singing' cannot be subject matter of copyright.The Court will hear the matter next on November 7. Meanwhile, the defendants were directed to correct a typographical error in the credits of the song on YouTube..Advocates Neel Mason and Arjun Harkauli appeared for plaintiff