Ilaiyaraaja’s brother and composer Gangai Amaran supported his brother’s move to ask copyright for his music.
Gangai Amaran expressed how it is still the old songs that are saving new films and said that it is the rightful thing to ask for permission to use the songs.
“There have been times when our records were selling like hot cakes and we did not get any money. So later, anna (Ilaiyaraaja) got the music contract saying the rights will be with him. In fact, it was after I said, he allowed stage singers to sing freely without royalty,” Gangai Amaran said.
Speaking about the usage of Ilaiyaraaja songs in films, Gangai Amaran said, “You pay music directors in crores and those songs don’t work out. When you play our songs, you get the claps. When you are unable to do with your composer is when you use our songs right? Shouldn’t we then get the rightful share for it? If you ask for permission, he will give it for free. But how many of them ask and that is his grouse.”
Ilaiyaraaja had recently sued the makers of Ajtih’s ‘Good Bad Ugly’ for the unauthorised usage of his yesteryear songs in the film.
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