When seconds count
In an age where patriotism is also being consumerised, this was waiting to happen sooner rather than later. AR Rehman’s recently released album, Jana Gana Mana, has run into rough waters with the law of the land. Courtesy a PIL filed by concerned citizens. And guess what, if the law actually does take its course, he could face up to 3 years imprisonment. The reason? AR’s version does not conform to the 52 seconds it is permitted.
Seems a very petty bone to pick when there’s no one lamenting the fact that the National Anthem is being turned into a commodity, given shelf space and sold across counters.
1. I’m glad someone remembers the law and is concerned.
2. Rehman in prison? Yeah, right…that’s when most people will temporarily forget the law.
3. If it gets any bigger, news channels have a lot to look out for.
Seems a very petty bone to pick when there’s no one lamenting the fact that the National Anthem is being turned into a commodity, given shelf space and sold across counters.
BTW, the last paragraph of the second article reads
“Further, the anthem has been “tampered with” for commercial benefits in the garb of patriotism. “Rahman has handled the anthem as if it were a cinema song,” Mohanraj added.”
This is total BS. I can’t imagine the lives of such jobless idiots who want to sue AR for his music composition. BTW, is there a law that says the song must be sung in 52 seconds else three years in prison??? What is the problem with law here?
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard. When most countires encourage their citizens to express their patriotism through creative variations of the national flag and anthem/song, here we are strait jacketing it. You dont see Australians being arrested for painting the national flag on their cheeks or clothes. Variations of patriotic songs are sung by well known artistes to much appreciation rather than such ridiculous, small minded actions. the again, the law supports it here.
When most countires encourage their citizens to express their patriotism through creative variations of the national flag and anthem/song, here we are strait jacketing it. You dont see Australians being arrested for painting the national flag on their cheeks or clothes.
Bring on the Jana Gaanaa Mana and the tri-coloured bikini.
I guess the question here is, what defines “creative”?
Navneeth,
Did you listen to the album by any chance?
The artistes who have performed in these albums are as follows
Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Amaan Ali Bangash
Ayaan Alao Bangash
Pt. Shiv kumar Sharma
Rahul Sharma
Vikku Vinayakaram
Uma Shankar
Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
Kadri Gopalnath
Chitraveena
Ravikiran
E.Gayathri
Ustad Sultan Khan
Pt.Kartick Kumar
Niladri Kumar
Kumaresh
Ganesh
D.K.Pattammal
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
Lata Mangeshkar
Pt.Jasraj
Dr.Balamuralikrishna
Jagjit Singh
Pt.Ajoy Chakrabarty
Smt.Shobha Gurtu
Begum Parveen Sultana
Bhupen Hazarika
Ustad Radhid Khan
Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan
Smt Shruti Sadolikar
Dr SP Balasubrahmanyam
Sudha Raghunathan
Asha Bhosle
Hariharan
Kavita Krishnamurthy
P.Unnikrishnan
Nityashree
Sadiq Khan Langa
Ghulam Murtuza Khan
Ghulam adir Khan
Kaushiki Chakrabarty
Now. Are you equating what these people have sung to a Bikini? You need a reality check, mate!
Prabhu,
No, I have not listened to the album, but I’m sure it’s tastefully done. Now, where did I equate these masters of the art to singing to the bikini. I’m just trying to say what would follow if you give the people freedom to be “creative”. Since David brought up the discussion on clothes and body art, I’m asking whether something that shouts artistry, patriotism, or a mixture of both to person A would be do the same for person B. So now you answer my question: Where do you draw the line between being creative and being disrespectful (as seen by some extremely-patriotic people or some attention-seeking political party, and we all know what will happen if it’s the latter)?
Navneeth,
The question of being disrespectful arises when someone attempts it. Do listen to the album. You will change your opinion.
Madras High Court on Friday dismissed a PIL filed against the ace music director Rehman and Bharti Enterprises Chairman Mittal, accusing them of showing disrespect to the national anthem in a recent composition.
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=26866
The INTENTION to defame the anthem should be the criteria for punishment. The law has both letter and spirit.
Here, there is obviously no such intention.
The court should penalise people who file stupid complaints, wasting the courts time.
(India has 2.5 cases in courts for every man, woman and child )
I wonder why so many people immediately seek to file a case for something that is done with so much patriotism and passion, but maybe failed to follow a protocol. It’s the respect that is important.
Well, in that case, why are the same people not filing cases for breaking road rules, cutting avenue trees, polluting rivers, bribing to get the job done or any other activity that’s either breaking a law or a rule. If that was done, India would have been an even better paradise.
I don’t see any altruism.
This album is another way to milk money out of us in the garb of patriotism.