Ilaiyaraaja vs Rajinikanth’s ‘Coolie’ Song

As we already know that music composer Ilaiyaraaja sent a legal notice to team Coolie for using his music in the teaser of the film without permission. The social media is divided with their opinions on the issue. Ilaiyaraaja’s song ‘Va va pakkam va’ from ‘Thangamagan’ was recreated, and it popped up the issue.

Some opine that Ilaiyaraaja should let it go or talk to the concerned persons in private but not send legal notices. But, some opine that he is doing the right thing, especially in the era where the music labels own the absolute rights of the songs where composers are being ignored.

In the entire scenario, there are too many opinions floating on the internet but we are trying to compile the point of view of the legendary composer. Especially in this case, Ilaiyaraaja is the owner of the Echo label, which owns the absolute rights to the album Thangamagan.

At the same time, if someone wants to reuse, reproduce or recreate the songs from the album, they definitely need the permission of Ilaiyaraaja, whereas in the case of Coolie, it has not been taken. It irked Ilaiyaraaja who sent a legal notice to team Coolie.

However, in most cases, the composer’s rights are held with the producers or the music labels who can give the permission, and the music composers will have no say in it. Ilaiyaraaja makes sure to have the entire rights of music with him, which is why he is able to file copyright cases.

Most contracts in India are made where the producers/labels are assigned complete rights. It is against the copyright act but no one voices out their opinion because of various factors.

Some are claiming that Ilaiyaraaja will send notices to other composers but when it comes to his son Yuvan Shankar Raja, he would not mind. But, here is a video proof where Yuvan also claimed that he obtained NOC from his father when he decided to remix one of his father’s songs.