Singer Kaushiki Chakraborty has sent a legal notice to singer Chinmayi Sripaada and Singapore-based songwriter-producer Shabir Sulthan over alleged plagiarism in the Tamil song Vaanmathi. Kaushiki alleges that portions of her 2015 Darbar Festival performance were used in the song without her permission, acknowledgement or credit, as reported in MSN.
In a video posted on Instagram, Kaushiki said she was disturbed by the alleged use of her work. She stated that she had attempted to resolve the issue without legal action but was compelled to issue the notice after discussions failed. At the time of writing, the song had been taken down from Shabir’s social media accounts, as Kaushiki had requested.
In the caption accompanying her video, Kaushiki wrote, “It’s a statement that I’m putting out on behalf of all of us, a battle I decided to fight not for myself only, but for protecting the rights of our music and musicians.”
She further appealed to her followers to amplify the issue, writing, “We need this message to reach far and beyond and make the statement heard, so that we don’t let this happen to our traditional music ever again.. so please share as much as possible. Thank you for the support that you have always shown and I am sure will continue to show.”
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The singer also shared clips from her 2015 performance alongside portions of Vaanmathi to support her allegations.
Chinmayi Sripaada Says She Was Unaware Of Alleged Plagiarism
Chinmayi acknowledged receiving the legal notice and addressed the allegations in a statement posted on her Instagram Stories.
“I have come to know of Kaushiki Chakraborty’s instagram reel plus received a legal notice from her legal team – for a couple of phrases from Vaanmathi.”
She said she had spoken to Shabir after the allegations surfaced and maintained that she had been unaware of the allegedly plagiarised portions when she recorded her vocals for the song.
“As a recording artiste I sang and did my lines in the song and haven’t been aware of any of the plagiarised portions in the song until the legal notice / Instagram reel. I have also known @shabirmusic for quite a while and believe he will address this legally as he has assured he will, with all the due respect and diligence to Kaushiki and her legal team, address this.”
Chinmayi concluded her statement by rejecting the suggestion that she would knowingly copy another artist’s work.
“I wouldnt copy someone else’s work and it is below my own musical integrity and dignity.”
Shabir Sulthan had not issued a public statement on the allegations at the time of writing.
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