AR Rahman to Acknowledge Dagar Brothers' Contribution in Song Amid Legal Proceedings
In a significant development, renowned music composer AR Rahman has consented before the Supreme Court to provide credit to the legendary musicians Ustad N Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad N Zahiruddin Dagar, popularly known as the Junior Dagar Bandhu, for his song 'Vera Raja Veera'. This decision comes during the pendency of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by an heir of the Dagars.
Court Proceedings and Legal Representation
Appearing on behalf of Rahman, senior advocate A M Singhvi informed a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that the composer has always held deep respect for musical traditions. Singhvi stated that Rahman has taken the spirit of the court's suggestion from the previous hearing seriously and is committed to honoring the contributions of the Dagar brothers.
The credit line that will be inserted reads: "Composition inspired by Dagarvani Tradition Dhrupad, first recorded as Shiva Stuti by Late Ustad N Faiyazuddin Dagar and Late Ustad N Zahiruddin Dagar". This acknowledgment will be displayed every time the song is played on OTT platforms or online channels.
Implementation Timeline and Court Directions
Singhvi indicated that implementing this credit insertion across all mediums would require approximately four weeks. The Supreme Court bench, considering the technical aspects involved, granted a period of five weeks for the complete implementation of this directive.
The legal journey leading to this decision has seen multiple judicial interventions:
- Justice Pratibha Singh of the Delhi High Court initially directed that the credit line 'Composition based on a Dagarvani Tradition Dhrupad' be replaced with 'Composition based on Shiva Stuti by Late Ustad Faiyazuddin Dagar and Late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar'.
- This interim direction was subsequently set aside by a division bench of the High Court following an appeal filed by AR Rahman.
- The matter was then challenged in the Supreme Court by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, leading to the current proceedings.
Background of the Copyright Dispute
The legal dispute originated when Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent Rahman from using 'Shiva Stuti', claiming that he still holds copyright over the composition created by his father and uncle. The plaintiff argued that the musical work represents a significant contribution to the Dhrupad tradition of classical music.
Just one week prior to the current hearing, the Supreme Court bench had advised Rahman to formally acknowledge the contributions of the legendary Junior Dagar Bandhu to the Dhrupad tradition, setting the stage for the composer's agreement to provide proper credit.
Court's Final Disposition and Future Proceedings
In disposing of the appeal, the Supreme Court bench made it clear that all contentions raised by both parties would remain open for consideration during the trial of the suit, which is still pending before a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court. The bench specifically clarified that it has expressed no opinion on the merits of any issues raised in the copyright infringement lawsuit.
This development represents a temporary resolution in an ongoing legal battle that highlights the complex intersection of contemporary music production and traditional musical heritage. The case continues to underscore the importance of proper attribution and copyright acknowledgment in the creative industries.
