- Kedar Upadhyay and Bhargav Purohit bag the best composer award for the Movie ‘Saiyar Mori re’
- The IPRS revenue jumps 5-fold from Rs 46 crores in FY2017-18 to a whooping Rs 314 crores in FY21-22 in 5 years
NE ENTERTAINMENT BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, MAR 1
With rapidly increasing global levels of Internet and mobile phone penetration, worldwide access to music looks set to expand. Emerging and developing country music markets, as yet largely untapped, offer huge potential for commercial growth. The development of licensed music markets in these countries – for which there are great hopes – will translate into more investment in local musical talent, enable new music businesses to thrive and help support the long-term sustainability of the global music industry and the creators, said renowned Gujarati-Hindi singer, lyricist, and IPRS Committee Member Priya Saraiya.
Music Copyright Society, The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), representing over 10,000 composers, lyricists, and music publishers as its members in India, is pleased to announce its association with the Gujarati Iconic Film Awards (GIFA) to educate and acknowledge the music creators and talent from the region. At the event, IPRS presented the award for Best Composer to Kedar Upadhyay and Bhargav Purohit for the Movie Saiyar Mori re. The copyright society also set up a Helpdesk at the venue to build awareness of the role of IPRS and engage with the music creators and industry insiders attending the event.
IPRS representatives interacted with authors, composers, and music publishers, helping them to understand the nuances of music copyright, managing rights as a creator, and earning royalties from the music created.
Speaking about IPRS’s participation, Rakesh Nigam said, “IPRS is glad to reach out to the talented composers and lyricists of the Gujarati film industry through its association with GIFA 2023. The popularity of regional music in India is touching new heights. However, there is a lack of awareness amongst the community of music creators about copyright and all that is important for them to know to manage their rights and get duly credited and remunerated. We hope to strengthen our partnership with GIFA to support the creators from their region and help protect their right to royalty. I applaud the emerging talent and congratulate all the winners of the GIFA awards.”
Renowned singer, lyricist, and IPRS Committee Member Priya Saraiya added, “As a music creator, I know how important it is to receive due recognition for our work. I am very enthused by the work IPRS is doing in ensuring music creators get their rightful dues. I urge the authors and composers in Gujarat to be more aware of their rights to the music they create so that they do not miss out on their rightful dues. I hope the music creators and publishers from the region start reaching out to bodies like IPRS and benefit from it. Congratulations to all the winners. I wish them a flourishing future ahead.”
To illustrate the lack of awareness on IPRs, Priya said, “Once I was performing a musical concert in Junagadh with Bharatdan Gadhvi and sang a folk song. Later I realised that it was a copyrighted one and felt embarrassed. Now, I am very careful and propagate the value of copyrights.”
She lamented that only over 100 creators are members of the IPRS.
The IPRS has gone on to become the most invaluable and desired support system of the Indian music industry today. Standing strong for owner’s rights, royalties, and promoting the creators’ causes, have been driving IPRS while keeping it invigorated and focused over the years.
The amendments in the Copyright Act in 2012 cleared the way for a new beginning for IPRS and the fraternity of Music Creators & Publishers. IPRS set forth on its new journey in 2017 with a clear task in hand, led by the new board and Javed Akhtar as the Chairman. The IPRS has since then grown from strength to strength to become the leading music copyright society in India, representing the authors, composers, and publishers of music. In 2018 the re-admittance of the IPRS as a Copyright Society in the apex Paris-based International Confederation of Societies of Authors & Composers (CISAC) further led to the wider acceptance of the IPRS as a top global copyright society.
The following years saw IPRS signing strategic licensing deals with major International Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and significant players in the Indian music industry shooting the IPRS revenue from Rs 46 crores in FY2017-18 to a whooping Rs 314 crores in FY21-22. A jump of over 500% in 5 years. FY22-23 IPRS is expected to touch Rs 400 crores in revenues and surpass Rs 300 crores in royalty distribution.
Royalty to the rescue of pandemic-hit performers
During the recent pandemic, the critical role of copyright societies like IPRS became even more evident when the regular sources of income from the music industry were severely hit. By distributing royalty amounting to INR 210 crores, along with regular grants and aids, IPRS has proven its pivotal role in the sustenance and welfare of the Music community.
Commenting on IPRS’s journey so far, legendary poet, lyricist, screenwriter, and IPRS Chairman Javed Akhtar Sahab said, “I am pleased with the IPRS’s initiatives, led by the CEO, . Rakesh Nigam, to not only safeguard the rights of music creators but also consistently reach out to them through various initiatives to ensure they are aware of their rights over the music they create. I am happy that the IPRS not only survived the pandemic but could also distribute frequent royalties to the members and financial aid to many struggling to make ends meet.”
The GIFA event was a grand success, attracting many prominent members of the Gujarati film industry, including actors, directors, and musicians. The event provided a platform for IPRS to connect with the industry and raise awareness about music copyright and the importance of fair pay and play of music. The initiative is a positive step toward promoting talent and creativity in the Indian entertainment industry.
