The Hindu : Karnataka News : Singer, firm charged with copyright infringement

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Sunday, Feb 28, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Singer, firm charged with copyright infringement

Staff Reporter

Several musicians annoyed with the attitude of the singer

Several all-time hits re-recorded and released in the last four years
Reality shows blamed for the tendency to forget original creators

Bangalore: Many veterans of the Kannada music industry on Saturday alleged that they were hurt by the actions of M.D. Pallavi, a leading playback singer, who allegedly violated the copyright law and re-recorded over 60 to 70 popular Kannada songs.

In the last four years, several all-time hits of legends like Mysore Ananthaswamy, H.K. Narayan, Padmacharan, C. Ashwath, among others and sung by Ratnamala Prakash and her contemporaries, were allegedly re-recorded by Ms. Pallavi and brought out by Sangeetha Sagar company without giving credit to the original music directors and singers, said the veterans at a press conference here.

“Legal action can be initiated against the release of the CDs. These actions are almost like stealing,” said Lahari Velu of Lahari Recording Company, the original recorder of the songs, referring to the five to six releases, including the recent Bhavageethe by Ms. Pallavi.

Speaking about the issue of blatant disregard for the original creators, Ratnamala Prakash, renowned Kannada singer, said, “I have individually popularised 500 songs which were creations of legendary music directors of Karnataka. It is my right as a singer that I be immortalised and live on through the songs I have sung.”

Apologise

“Despite several attempts to clarify the air, the singer reacted arrogantly. Ms. Pallavi should apologise for her arrogant act to all the veteran singers. We must ensure that this trend is never repeated again in the industry,” Ms. Prakash added.

Boom

“With the recent boom of reality shows, many young singers are becoming oblivious of the original creators and singers of many timeless songs.

“This is saddening,” said Sangeetha Katti, renowned singer and judge of a reality show on a Kannada TV channel, narrating an instance where her own song was credited to Ms. Pallavi by a contestant. She said the CD covers had the imprint “live concerts.”

Shimoga Subbanna, B.R. Chaya, Malathi Sharma, M.S. Prakash and Bali were the other renowned musicians present at the function.

When contacted, Ms. Pallavi refused to comment about the allegations. “I do not want to be a part of this discussion,” she said.

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