Yesudas hits wrong note with his royalty demand

Playback icon K.J. Yesudas has set off a cacophony of opposition in the Malayalam music industry by demanding royalty on songs sung by him. ...

Playback icon K.J. Yesudas has set off a cacophony of opposition in the Malayalam music industry by demanding royalty on songs sung by him. Artistes believe the move will hit upcoming singers most as they sing his hits at shows to make a living.

A few days ago, Yesudas had demanded royalty from singers who sing his numbers anywhere, anytime. Earlier, he had banned singers from singing his ganamela and orchestra hits unless they had taken a licence from the Indian Performing Rights Society.

Younger singers have decided to join hands against the move for royalty that will 8216;8216;adversely affect the future of upcoming artistes8217;8217;. Though not many are fully aware of the technicalities involved in the issue, they are certain any such row will ruin public support to the musicians and leave many without a livelihood.

8216;8216;Many a time, a song becomes a hit through stage shows and other performances. And there are quite a lot of young people who depend on these shows for earning a livelihood. Such a move for imposing royalty will definitely ruin their lives,8217;8217; says singer Prathap.

And singer Madhu Balakrishnan believes the move will worsen the position of young musicians, with the competition tipped against them. 8216;8216;Unlike in earlier days, new singers get very few chances in films; they have to depend on stage shows. And if a singer has exclusive rights on songs it will become too difficult for others,8217;8217; he says. Singer apart, the members of the orchestra would also lay claim to royalty, he says.

Even though the Indian Performing Right Society IPRS has maintained that its rules are not applicable to performances in Kerala at present, these groups have also expressed their concern over this sudden appearance of a cloud over their lives.

8216;8216;We can pay only Rs 500 for a person in our troupe for a show, and the amount is much less for the small groups. It is very easy for singers who are paid lakhs to ask for royalty, but they do not know how it will affect the lives of others in this field,8217;8217; says Fr James Aertheyil, director of Kalabhavan, Kochi.

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8216;8216;You know what we will do if Yesudas comes here again for a music programme? We will make him pay for all those kirtans that originally belong to Swathi Thirunal and others,8217;8217; says an orchestra group leader in Kochi.