Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Vocalists and singers join Indian Singers Rights Association

Leading singers announced their affiliation to the Indian Singers Rights Association, the statutory body under the Indian Copyright Act 1957, to secure them their royalty dues.

Addressing media persons following a meeting led by senior industry representatives S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.J. Yesudas, P. Susheela and Vani Jayaram, ISRA Managing DirectorSanjay Tandon said the association will represent the interest of the singers. Under the Copyright law it can charge a maximum of 15 per cent of the royalty for its services with 85 per cent going to the singer.

The details of the royalty to be fixed and the systems and procedures will be announced following the association’s general body meeting to be held on September 5. Royalty can be collected on the original songs played commercially by any media, including ringtones by telephone companies, radio and television channels.

The law covers songs going back 50 years and ISRA estimates this will represent a data base of over a million songs across India going back up to 1963.

Balasubrahmanyam said this is a rightful due to the singers provided by the law and is a new revenue stream that does not infringe on others’ income in the industry. This is a long awaited provision under the Copyright law which was amended last year. It is the responsibility of the industry and the listeners to abide by the law.

Courtesy: The Hindu Business Line

SPB: unplugged, uncut and absolutely loving it!




Chennai: S P Balasubrahmanyam’s earthy voice in Ilaya Nila, from Payanangal Mudivadhillai has given countless music lovers company over long drives, at traffic lights and on lonely nights. The beginning strains of that song, which has won him some of his biggest fans, are enough to send most fans into musical limbo – where the only thing that exists his voice.

Well, musical limbo was what Chennai’s fans experienced during his first unplugged concert over the weekend. With a packed Music Academy and one spotlight, SPB weaved his magic over and over again with a selection of some of his best songs, much to the delight of his fans.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Madras South to confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on the veteran singer, the evening began with strains of his Vaa Nila Nila from Pattina Pravesam. Pianist Anil Srinivasan accompanied him on the piano and the song wound down, they gave the audience something to laugh about with little anecdotes and musical exchanges between the two.

The evening smoothly segued into SPB’s hits like Naan Pesa Vandhen from Paalooti Valartha Kili and En Kadhal Kanmani from Manjal Kungumam. The audience, mostly above the age of 35 but with a good mix of foreigners scattered here and there, lapped up whatever he sang.

It was a quiet sort of excitement with the crowd. There was no screaming, no shouting – except for the odd whistle or two – but a very dignified sort of clapping that conveyed their love of SPB’s singing prowess more than any loud cheering could.

The evening also had two spectacular unplugged segments – one celebrating the singer’ ‘Nila’ moments with songs like Nilavu Thoongum Neram and Nilave Vaa among others.

By this time some of his more popular (and comparatively recent) numbers like Malare Mounama and Minnale Nee Vandhadhenadi had been rolled out and the audience’s appetites was whetted enough to want more. The evening wound down with the second unplugged secgment – a medley of some of his greatest hits like Kamban Emanthaan and Tere Mere Beech Mein.

Courtesy: Indian Express