Ilaiyaraaja claims no knowledge of his properties in the music rights case

During his testimony in the music rights case, Ilaiyaraaja stated that he had no knowledge of his properties, emphasizing that his sole focus had always been music. His lawyer objected to the line of questioning, calling it irrelevant to the case.
In 2010, the music company Music Master filed a lawsuit in the Chennai High Court, claiming that they had signed an agreement in 1997 with a music label under Ilaiyaraaja’s wife’s name. As per this agreement, Music Master had acquired the rights to release the soundtracks of 109 films. However, they alleged that these songs were being used on YouTube and other social media platforms without their permission, prompting them to seek a legal injunction. Ilaiyaraaja and his music company were named as respondents in the case.
During an earlier hearing before Justice Abdul Quddhose, Ilaiyaraaja’s legal team argued that the agreement only covered audio releases and did not include digital platforms like YouTube or social media. As part of the ongoing proceedings, Ilaiyaraaja appeared before the Master Court in the Chennai High Court complex on February 13 to testify. While on the witness stand, he was questioned about the number of properties he owned, to which he replied that his sole focus was music and he had no knowledge of his assets. When asked where he resided before rising to fame, he stated that he could not recall.
According to News 18, Ilaiyaraaja recounted arriving in Chennai in March 1968, staying in a room with his brother Bhaskar, and later meeting Bharathiraja while searching for opportunities in theater. When asked about the purchase details of his properties, including a house along East Coast Road, he responded that he did not remember. He also clarified that he did not own a personal recording studio. At this point, his lawyer objected, arguing that the questions were irrelevant to the case. The cross-examination lasted for about an hour, after which the judge ordered the case to be transferred to the Chennai High Court for further proceedings.