The Supreme Court of India has put on hold the eagerly anticipated hearing in the copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Ustad Fayyaz Wasifuddin Dagar against AR Rahman over the blockbuster track ‘Veyra Raja Veyra.’ Justice will now be deliberated on February 13.
At the heart of this year-long tussle is Dagar’s contention that Rahman’s composition for Mani Ratnam’s epic Ponniyin Selvan 2 mirrors his family’s revered ‘Shiv Stuti,’ crafted and performed since the 1970s across prestigious platforms.
Rahman, no stranger to accolades, rebutted by highlighting original lyrical content and structural independence, tracing inspirations to 13th-century Acharya Narayan Pandit’s hymns.
Courtroom developments have swung wildly: An April verdict from Delhi High Court’s single bench required Dagar to furnish Rs 2 crore and compelled crediting the track on all digital and social outlets. This was reversed in September by a division bench, which deemed evidence lacking for Dagar’s proprietary claim.
As the case escalates to the apex court, it spotlights the clash between Bollywood’s grandeur and classical music’s sanctity. Legal experts predict ramifications for future soundtracks blending tradition with modernity.
Fans and purists alike remain divided, fueling debates on what constitutes ‘inspiration’ versus ‘copying.’ The upcoming session could deliver closure, affirming protections for heritage compositions in an era of remixes and fusions.