Will A.R. Rahman Recognize Junior Dagar Brothers in 'Ponniyin Selvan II' Song?
Synopsis
In a significant legal development, acclaimed music composer A.R. Rahman has committed to recognizing the Junior Dagar Brothers in his song 'Veera Raja Veera' from 'Ponniyin Selvan II'. This decision comes amidst ongoing legal discussions about the song's inspiration, which ties back to the revered traditional composition 'Shiva Stuti'.
Key Takeaways
Rahman has agreed to acknowledge the Junior Dagar Brothers for their influence on his song.
The acknowledgment is part of an interim arrangement amidst legal proceedings.
The Supreme Court has mandated updates to song credits across platforms.
The civil suit regarding authorship will continue separately.
The Dagarvani tradition has significantly contributed to Indian classical music.
New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) Music composer A.R. Rahman declared on Friday to the Supreme Court that he will credit the song "Veera Raja Veera", from the Tamil film "Ponniyin Selvan II", as being inspired by the traditional piece "Shiva Stuti" by the classical vocalist Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar’s family.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Rahman, informed the apex court that the composer had consented, as a temporary measure, to acknowledge the work of the late Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad N. Zahiruddin Dagar — widely known as the Junior Dagar Brothers.
He specified that this concession was made "without prejudice" to Rahman’s rights and arguments in the ongoing civil case before the Delhi High Court.
The bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, instructed that the changes in the song credits be updated across all social media and OTT platforms within five weeks.
The CJI-led bench made it clear that the civil case will continue based on its own merits and will not be swayed by any remarks made during the current proceedings.
With these comments, the Supreme Court dismissed the special leave petition (SLP) filed by classical vocalist Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, who challenged the Delhi High Court order that nullified a previous injunction against Rahman and other parties.
In a ruling delivered on September 24, 2025, a division bench consisting of Justices C. Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla of the Delhi High Court determined that there was no prima facie evidence to support that the Junior Dagar Brothers were the authors or composers of "Shiva Stuti", leading to the cancellation of the interim directives, including the order to pay Rs 2 crore and amend the song credits.
Point of View
This development underscores the cultural significance of recognizing traditional art forms and their contributions to contemporary works. A.R. Rahman's acknowledgment of the Junior Dagar Brothers is a vital step towards fostering respect and appreciation for India's classical music heritage.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted A.R. Rahman to acknowledge the Dagar Brothers?
A.R. Rahman agreed to acknowledge the Junior Dagar Brothers as part of ongoing legal proceedings regarding the song's inspiration, ensuring that traditional influences are recognized.
What is the significance of 'Shiva Stuti' in this context?
'Shiva Stuti' is a traditional composition linked to the Dagar family, reflecting the rich heritage of Indian classical music that influences contemporary compositions.
How will the acknowledgment be implemented?
The Supreme Court has directed that the acknowledgment be reflected across all social media and OTT platforms within five weeks.
What are the ongoing legal issues surrounding this case?
The case involves a civil suit pending in the Delhi High Court, where it will assess the merits of the claims regarding the authorship of the traditional piece.
