The maestro’s copyright battles — against the makers of Dude and Coolie — stand for creative dignity and authorship in an industry that still struggles to respect its creators

xFor decades, Ilaiyaraaja has been more than a composer — he’s been the emotional undercurrent of Indian cinema. Yet, time and again, filmmakers and music labels have used his work without consent, sparking recurring legal tussles. His disputes with the late S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chithra, and several producers are often dismissed as ego clashes. But at its core, his crusade is about recognition, authorship, and dignity — not ego.

“When someone like Ilaiyaraaja sir has to fight for what’s rightfully his, it shows how broken the system still is,” says independent musician Pramod Kumar, aka Asura. “It’s not abou

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