Royalties are a right, not a privilege: Sonu Nigam and Anup Jalota

In a landmark moment for India’s music industry, ISAMRA distributed ₹100 crore in royalties to 26,000 singers and musicians, marking what its leadership calls a long-overdue “correction of history.

” We spoke to veteran singers Anup Jalota, Sonu Nigam and Chairman of ISMARA, Sanjay Tandon. Tandon described the payout as more than a financial milestone, calling it “justice for performers” whose voices have shaped the nation’s musical legacy while remaining excluded from its economic rewards. He said, “With over 4 lakh tracks played upwards of 4.5 crore times across platforms, the move underscores the growing importance of structured systems, as ISAMRA’s metadata backbone ensures accurate tracking and monetisation across radio, television, digital and public platforms.

” VOICES FINALLY HONOURED Anup Jalota called the moment “deeply emotional and historic,” adding, “For years, singers gave their voices to immortality, but did not always receive their due. Today, with this distribution, that voice is not just heard, it is honoured. It reinforces that royalties are a right, not a privilege.” Sonu Nigam echoed the sentiment, saying, “Our decades-long battle pays off. Artistes have finally moved from being remembered to being rewarded.

This goes beyond applause. It gives performers a financial identity and dignity, and acknowledges that the voice is not just emotion, it is value.” A SHIFT ACROSS GENERATIONS For veteran artistes, many of whom never expected to receive royalties within their lifetime, the payout signals delayed justice, while for younger performers it offers long-term assurance. Jalota noted, “It brings peace to legends and confidence to the young.

When an artiste knows their work will continue to earn for them, it brings dignity and security.” Nigam added, “For years, recognition came in the form of love and applause, but not proportionate reward.

This shift changes that narrative. It tells every young artiste that their art will not just be celebrated, it will be protected and valued.” WHY SYSTEMS MATTER The scale of music consumption today makes transparency critical.

“Today music travels everywhere. Without structure and transparency, it is impossible to track it,” said Jalota, crediting ISAMRA with bringing “discipline and accountability” to an unorganised space. Nigam emphasised, “Transparency is everything. If you cannot track usage, you cannot value it. Systems like ISAMRA ensure that every play, every performance translates into rightful earnings with clarity and credibility.

” THE ROAD AHEAD Looking forward, the focus is on expanding awareness, strengthening enforcement and building global integration. Tandon stressed the need to bring more artistes into the royalty framework, ensuring no voice is left behind. Jalota underlined the importance of parity, saying, “We must ensure that Indian artistes receive global respect and parity. As our music travels across borders, our rights must travel with it.

” Nigam added a note of caution in an evolving landscape: “The industry is evolving rapidly with digital platforms and AI. But the core must remain human. Technology should empower artistes, not dilute their rights. We need ethical frameworks that protect the voice behind the music.”