A.R. Rahman Settles Copyright Dispute with Dagar Family in Supreme Court
In a significant development, renowned music composer A.R. Rahman has formally assured the Supreme Court of India that he will acknowledge the traditional composition "Shiva Stuti" as an inspiration for his song "Veera Raja Veera" from the Tamil blockbuster film "Ponniyin Selvan II". This assurance came during a hearing on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal dispute over the song's credits.
Interim Agreement Reached Without Prejudice
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Rahman, informed the apex court that the composer has agreed to an interim arrangement. This arrangement involves acknowledging the performance of the late Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad N. Zahiruddin Dagar, famously known as the Junior Dagar Brothers, in connection with the song. Singhvi emphasized that this concession was made "without prejudice" to Rahman's legal rights and contentions in the main civil suit, which remains pending before the Delhi High Court.
Supreme Court Directs Swift Implementation
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, recorded this submission and issued clear directives. The court ordered that the modification in the song credits must be reflected across all social media and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms within a strict timeframe of five weeks. This ensures that the acknowledgment reaches a wide audience promptly.
The CJI-led Bench made it unequivocally clear that the civil suit will proceed independently on its own merits. Any observations made during these Supreme Court proceedings will not influence the outcome of the ongoing litigation, preserving the integrity of the judicial process.
Background of the Legal Battle
With these observations, the Supreme Court disposed of the special leave petition (SLP) filed by classical vocalist Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar. He had challenged a Delhi High Court order that set aside an earlier single-judge injunction against Rahman and other defendants. During previous hearings, the CJI Surya Kant-led Bench had acknowledged the unparalleled contribution of the Dagarvani tradition to Indian classical music. The court suggested that some form of acknowledgment could be a constructive alternative to delving into complex "legal niceties," paving the way for this settlement.
In a judgment dated September 24, 2025, a division bench of the Delhi High Court, comprising Justices C. Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla, had ruled that there was no prima facie material to establish the Junior Dagar Brothers as the authors or composers of "Shiva Stuti". Consequently, the court vacated interim directions, including an order for Rahman to deposit Rs 2 crore and modify the song credits, which led to the appeal in the Supreme Court.
Implications for Music and Copyright Law
This case highlights the delicate balance between artistic inspiration and copyright protection in the music industry. Rahman's agreement to credit the Dagar Brothers, even as a provisional measure, underscores the importance of recognizing traditional influences in contemporary works. It also reflects the judiciary's role in mediating such disputes, encouraging acknowledgment over protracted legal battles.
The swift implementation order by the Supreme Court ensures that the resolution has immediate practical effects, benefiting both the artistic community and the public. As the civil suit continues in the Delhi High Court, this interim settlement sets a precedent for how similar cases might be handled in the future, emphasizing dialogue and recognition.
