Composed New Symphony In The Last 35 Days: Ilaiyaraaja Amid Coolie Copyright Controversy

When music composer Ilaiyaraaja filed a lawsuit against singer SP Balasubrahmanyam in 2017, for performing his compositions without his permission during a world tour, it caught widespread attention. Now, seven years later, it appears that the musician is still striving for a level of control over his music. Recently, he sent a copyright notice to the creators of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, indicating his ongoing efforts to protect his musical works. The makers of Coolie utilised the song Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa from the 1983 film Thanga Magan in a promotional video without obtaining permission from Ilaiyaraaja.

Ilaiyaraaja firmly asserted his position by issuing an ultimatum to the producers of Coolie: either obtain the necessary authorisation for the song Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa or remove it entirely from the movie teaser. The notice delivered a stern warning, stating that if these terms were not met, the producers would face severe legal consequences.

With ongoing discussions about Ilaiyaraaja’s copyright issues, numerous videos are circulating online, reflecting various viewpoints. Ilaiyaraaja has taken the initiative to release a video addressing his fans, aiming to provide clarity amidst the debate. He said he is aware that a lot of videos about him are being posted on social media. He added, “I don’t pay attention to any of this.” Ilaiyaraaja shared that he’s composed a new symphony as well amid all this, in the last 35 days. This video is gaining traction on social media platforms.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the composer mentioned that he is aware of the numerous videos circulating about him on social media but clarified that he doesn’t let them distract him. He stated, “I am steadfast in my chosen path. Amidst the well-wishes you’ve been sending my way, I’ve composed a symphony comprising four movements, attended events, and continued composing film songs.” He expressed joy in sharing this positive update with his fans.

Recently, Rajinikanth was also asked about his opinion on the issue, considering the camaraderie between him and Ilaiyaaraja. Rajinikanth answered that the issue was between the musical maestro and the producer of the film and hence he had no say in the matter.

In April, Sun Pictures released promotional material unveiling the title of the film Coolie. Among these promotional materials were various tributes to the iconic figure Rajinikanth, including a revamped version of a significant track from his 1983 film Thangamagan.