Local qawwal to file copyright notice against Bollywood music composer

Son of famous qawwal Maqbool Ahmed Sabri said that the music producers did not ask for permission to produce a remake

KARACHI: Qawwali is perhaps the strongest form of music in Pakistan. Since the genre was first introduced into the music industry, it has produced legends such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Munshi Raziuddin.

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The Sabri brothers, headed by Maqbool Ahmed Sabri and Ghulam Farid Sabri, also took qawwali to soaring heights. The duo produced numerous tracks - a famous one being Tajdar e Haram - that is still loved by many across the world.

PHOTO: THE SUFI

After their death, Ghulam's son Amjab Farid Sabri took it upon himself to take their music forward until he was shot dead in June 2016. Maqbool's son, Shumail Maqbool Sabri has now taken up as the duty to protect the rights of his father's productions.

Recently, the Tajdar e Haram was remixed for a Bollywood film titled Satyameva Jayate. Shumail, claiming to be the rightful heir to his father's music, told The Express Tribune that he plans to issue a notice to the music producers of John Abraham-starrer.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Shumail said, "We are currently gathering documents to build a case against T Series, which is led by music producer Bhushan Kumar. We're hopeful that we will have issued a notice to the company by Monday."

He added that the rights of the Sabri brothers' music currently belongs to his mother but since its the men who venture into qawwali, he is the owner of the copyrights.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

When asked what he demands from the Indian music firm, Shumail commented, "We do not need money. By the grace of God, we have enough. All we want is an apology as the music was used without the rightful owner's permission. It's sad that my father was not credited for the song either."

He also believes that a local music company has sold the song's rights to Satyameva Jayate. However, Shumail explains that if such a trade was made, the necessary documents should be presented. "In the past, whenever my father's songs were used, we were never given any royalties. It was also very disappointing to watch the video of the Bollywood remake which was originally supposed to be a holy track."

PHOTO: FILE

When asked if he was also planning to take action against Coke Studio's Tajdar e Haram, Shumail said, "No, because it was a tribute to my father and they had given him due credit." He added that Amjad was alive during the production of the Coke Studio hit so the team would have asked him for permission. "But he wasn't the owner of the song," Shumail concluded.


Two years on, musicians still find it hard to cope with Amjad Sabri's passing

Satyameva Jayate's video of the song shows a lot of violence and bloodshed that did not please the audience.

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