Royalty for songs: Concerts to be affected; artistes meeting today

Thrissur: Musical troupes and singers are highly concerned as a decision of Indian Performing Right Society to apply royalty charges in music sector is being implemented in the state effectively. The artistes are convening a meeting on Friday at Thrissur Sahitya Akademy to share their concerns and to find a way out.

The crisis emerged as the Society hardened its position to charge royalty for songs performed at concerts to be passed to the authors of the music.

Artistes complain that the troupes cannot bear the additional burden when demonetisation and GST have already squeezed the sector.

Last day, the Society sent notice for Rs. 35,000 to the organisers of 'Ravindra Sangeetham', an event held at Regional Theatre Thrissur, on the basis of 1000 seats. The demand amount was later reduced to 17,000 as Sangita Nataka Akademi informed the society that there were less than a thousand seats in the auditorium. The organisers were compelled to remit the amount to avoid the cancellation of the event.

The Society, a legally registered body, comprises lyricists, music directors and publishers of music. Among those who are liable to pay royalty, the Society has included orchestra troupes too. The concert organizers argue that if royalty charges are also to be added, the remuneration for the events will have to be hiked further. This will also affect the events for charity purposes where artistes perform free of charge. Representatives of troupe performers pointed out that it will also affect the organisers, auditoriums and event management groups. The meeting to be held on Friday aims to have open discussion in the matter, claimed the representatives.