SC Asks Rahman To Consider Credit for Dagarwani Contribution in ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ Song

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked music composer A.R. Rahman and the makers of Ponniyin Selvan 2 to consider giving “some acknowledgement” to the Dagarwani tradition for its contribution to the song “Veera Raja Veera”.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a plea filed by Dhrupad vocalist Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar challenging a September 2025 order of the Delhi High Court. The High Court had held that there was no prima facie evidence to show that the Junior Dagar Brothers were the authors of the classical rendition “Shiv Stuti”.

Dagar, son of Faiyazuddin Dagar and nephew of Zahiruddin Dagar, had contended before the High Court that he held copyright over the original compositions of the Junior Dagar Brothers, including “Shiv Stuti”, and that it had been infringed.

The Bench observed: “First performance does not necessarily mean authorship. Your case is more of an inference from the first performance that it is authorship. The issue is whether you were the creator or got it from the Dagar tradition and sang it for the first time.”

In response, Dagar’s counsel submitted: “I am claiming rights over one particular composition. My right is in composition. My father and brother had created it.”

The court asked whether the claim extended to the “originality of the raga”, to which the counsel replied that the right was in the composition and not in the manner of singing.

Addressing senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Rahman, the Bench said: “The originality of the tune is undisputed. If these gharanas had not contributed to the shastriya sangeet (classical music), do you think these modern singers would have managed.”

Singhvi submitted: “But during our rendition, he (Dagar) objected.”

The Bench observed: “See, there should be some acknowledgement. They are traditional worshippers of classical music. He is not in the competitive domain. They want respect and recognition.”

On Singhvi seeking time to obtain instructions, the court posted the matter for hearing on February 20.