Genda Phool Copyright Row: Badshah Sends Out A Clarification Statement, After Being Accused Of Plagiarism; Asks Fans To Find Ratan Kahar
After a lot of music lovers claimed that the original Bengali folk song is written by Ratan Kahar and his lines find a place in early released Genda Phool song, singer Badhsha has now responded to all the plagiarism row and decided to give out a statement on the same in order to clear the air
A few days ago, amidst Coronavirus scare, Badshah, Jacqueline Fernandez and Payal Dev treated us with a peppy yet with a fusion track, titled, Genda Phool. Since then the song has been trending on YouTube, people really can’t get over the Dotara (an instrument) beats that he has used in the song. Not only did he try his hands on a folk song but he also tried to present the gorgeous melody of the Bengali language. But little did anyone know that the song is not an original track as the track has now been allegedly plagiarised.
It was said that the original writer of this Bengali folk song is Ratan Kahar and people who know of him claim that a line – Boro loker Biti lo, lomba lomba chool, emon mathaye bedhe debo, laal Genda phool – in Genda Phool to be his and accused the makers of plagiarizing the song. As a lot of saying and controversy started building around this song, the singer/rapper Badshah decided to step in and send out a statement on the same on his Twitter handle with a caption that simply reads ‘Please read.’
His note starts with, “I would first of all like to thank each one of you that have loved and liked the song 'Genda Phool' especially the appreciation from the Bengali community worldwide that has made it into the chart-topper that it is currently trending worldwide.”
Talking about the copyright issues, he wrote, “We had however done out due diligence before releasing the song, and nowhere on any copyright societies or on any of the previous reprises/ versions of the song was Mr. Ratan Kahar credited as lyricist. Information all across say that "Boro Loker Beti Lo" is a traditional/ folk song from the Bauls of Bengal.” ALSO READ: Genda Phool: Badshah-Jacqueline Fernandez’s Track Plagiarised? Makers Accused Of Not Crediting Original Writer Ratan Kahar
His note also says, "In spite of being a commercial artist, always tried to include elements from my India roots in my music and present it to the world with opportunities that I have." Speaking of the song, he wrote, "Genda Phool is my attempt at presenting the gorgeous melody of the Bengali language and the forgotten instrument Dotara, packaged in a commercial song." "I hope my fans and country audience will understand and support that this is very honest attempt to put our traditional sounds on the world map and make the world aware of out worth." he signs off.
Image source: YouTube/ Sony Music