South Indian Film Musicians Association will collect the royalty for my songs: Ilaiyaraaja

Veteran music composer, Ilaiyaraaja, who has been vocal about the royalty issue, has once again stated that all the singers performing his songs at paid public events should proceed only after getting prior permission and paying proper royalty charges to him. He released a video yesterday to announce that the royalty for his songs will be collected by South Indian Film Musicians Association instead of Indian Performing Right Society from now on.

In the video he said, "A new announcement to all the musicians. It is illegal to perform my songs without my consent, and those involved in this will be subject to legal action from my side. I was a member of IPRS till now and they were collecting the royalty for my songs. But I am no longer a part of the organisation. South Indian Film Musicians Association will govern the royalty charges of my works from now on. I also want to clarify that I'm not obstructing anyone from singing my songs. I just want the ones performing my songs on stages for money to pay a small percentage as royalty to me. Do I not deserve a share when the songs belong to me in the first place?"

It is said that the royalty collected for Ilaiyaraaja's works will be used for the welfare of the members of the South Indian Film Musicians Association.