Lyricist Kumaar confesses about why writers are compelled to fight for their rights

In Bollywood, the success of a film is based on several factors. First, it’s the script and then the star cast. Believe it or not, the soundtrack of a film also has a major contribution to its success. Songs have the power of recollection value and sometimes even though the film doesn’t click with the audience, but still manages to be a hit thanks to its soundtrack.

In short, it won’t be wrong to say that songs are a very much an integral part of Hindi films. However, recently we saw some of the prominent lyricists’ like Varun Grover and Swanand Kirkire fight for lyricist’s credit on streaming platforms and music apps. Their simple demand is to be given credit wherever due.

Major streaming platforms and music apps most of the time give credits only to the singers and the music label. Lyricists are totally sidelined. And this practice has irked some of the lyricists. As a mark of protest, last month they even released a song titled ‘Credit De Do Yaar’. The song featured contemporary lyricists like Sameer Anjaan, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Neelesh Misra, Manoj Muntashir, Mayur Puri, Kumaar, Shellee, Anvita Dutt, Swanand Kirkire, Kausar Munir, Raj Shekhar, Abhiruchi Chand, Hussain Haidry, Puneet Sharma, & Varun Grover.

Lyricist Kumaar, in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, spoke about the outcome of this move and why exactly they all were compelled to take this step. “When you plant a tree it takes time to grow. Awaaz jab uthti hai pahunchti bahut der baad hai. The basic thing is that this situation shouldn’t have arisen. We shouldn’t have been brought to this point where we have to make such a request. You need words when you open your mouth. When you write, when you sing even if you hum you need words. So words are your basic need. Right from birth to death, one needs words. So it’s sad that we have to raise our voice for this. Platforms like Spotify and iTunes still don’t mention writers’ name. In the West, an artist writes his/her own songs. But that is not the case in India. So only when the music labels inform these streaming platforms that we have different set up unlike West I don’t think things will change. The first two posts is of Composer and Lyricist and they are followed by Arranger and Mix-master. So these are the main four pillars,” the ‘Ghungroo’ lyricist said.

Kumaar further added, “It’s not like the music companies are not giving us credits. They do and we have no complaints on that front. But if these people tell the streaming platforms like Spotify and Gaana.com to give credit to writers perhaps then things will change. We all are working towards bringing the change now let’s see. And this song (Credit De Do Yaar) is not just for those 15 writers featuring in it. It is for all those people who write and deserve respect and rightful credit.”

I asked him if he agrees that lyricists are sidelined during the filmmaking process, and he calmly replied, “See every person has a specific role to play. My job is to write. I do that and then start with my next project. That is my main job. I will get involved in the procedure only when they need my inputs. Jahaan zarurat hi nahi hai wahaan baithna hi kyun hai?”

Further revealing how he has personally made it a point to raise voice whenever necessary, Kumaar shared, “There have been incidents when I used to attend music functions and everyone’s name from the team would be announced except for the lyricists’. That would upset me. Later I became rebellious and I used to go on the stage and demand the respect that I deserved. So I think it’s important to raise your voice at the right moment rather than sulking later. I am not that fond of the limelight, so it’s fine if I am invited or not invited for any event. But my only point is that if I am invited then I want the respect that I deserve.”

Signing off Kumaar said, “At the end of the day, it’s a combined fight. The song ‘Credit De Do Yaar’ is the first step and hopefully, it will yield results soon. Also if the people at the top would speak for our rights then I think it will make things easier for all of us.”

Also Read: Kumaar on Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death Case: I hope the truth comes out and justice is served

Pooja Sharma

Cinephile. Bibliophile. Pluviophile. Selenophile. Autophile. Aesthete. Blood group- Tea positive. Poetry lover. Sucker of rom-coms.

PS: Sharmaji ki Ladki sucks at writing bios.
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