Don't chase recognition, Yesudas advises

One may recall the unexpected row between maestro Ilaiyaraja and ace playback singer S.P.Balasumbramaniam over the former's claim of royalty from the latter for singing the songs composed by him in stage concerts. It also led to the argument that playback singers are also entitled to get royalty. Now, for the first time, the Indian Singers Rights Association distributed around Rs 51 lakh as royalty to top playback singers like P.Susheela, KJ Yesudas, SP Balasubramaniam, Chithra and Srinivas at a function in the city.

The spokesperson of ISRA said, “The royalty to singers have been paid by IPL teams, amusement parks and few other establishments who have used the songs sung by them for commercial purposes. He also said that the amount would increase tenfold if radio stations, television channels and mobile companies also start paying royalty.”

SP Balasubrahmanyam hailed the development as a step in the right direction. “There are singers who have sung just one song. But, even they are playback singers. It is great that even they will get royalties.”

Stalwart P.Susheela revealed that they were fighting for their rights for a long and now she is happy that they finally starts achieving it. ISRA is contemplating legal recourse to achieve this from others as well. 

The presence of K.J Yesudas, who was adjudged the Best Playback Singer in the country for the eighth time at the National Awards, was the highlight of the event. Several singers who had gathered there congratulated him and a cake was cut on the occasion.

Speaking at the event, the 78-year-old legendary singer said, “When I sing, I don't seek anything. What goes through my mind while singing is that I should render the song in a 'sruti suttham' manner, the effects and feelings and how to bring all those in it. I don't think how much money is coming to me.  My guru has told me that Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) will give up, but Saraswathi (goddess of learning) will not leave.”

The veteran added, “Those days the focus was on only on music composer and writers. After struggling a lot today, we are getting something. When I realise that they start recognising and there's a value for our work finally, I feel happy.”
Recalling those days, the musical genius says, “After recording a song, when we come out and those who were there appreciate it and say, 'you sang very well', that was the 'royalty' for me.”

Finally, reacting to the getting a national award for his Malayalam song, he smiled and said, “In fact, when Vijay (his son Vijay Yesudas) came and hugged me in the morning , I thought he was doing his routine thing.  Then he said that I have won the national honour. Everything is God's willingness. I thank each and everyone singer who are here and supported me.”

The legendary singer shared his experiences as what brings him laurels. “Do your work with utter sincerity and dedication. Everything will come to you. Do not chase recognition, it will come you when you do your duty correctly.”