Indian Wedding Season: A Lucrative Market that overlooks Musicians' Rights

News
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

The Indian wedding season is a spectacle of grandeur, rich with vibrant traditions, elaborate celebrations, and joyful gatherings. It’s a time when families and friends come together to celebrate love and unity, with music playing a central role in creating the festive atmosphere. However, amid the glitz and glamour, the rights of musicians, the very artists who provide the soundtrack to these joyous occasions, are often sidelined.

The Indian wedding industry is a multi-crore market, estimated to be worth over ₹1 lakh crore, and music forms a significant portion of wedding expenses. It’s not uncommon for couples to spend anywhere between ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh—or more—on live music performances, making it a highly lucrative market for musicians. Yet, despite the increasing demand for live performances, musicians often face challenges related to copyright infringement, underpayment, and lack of fair compensation.

The Indian Copyright Act, 1957, offers legal protections for musical artists, including provisions for royalties and performance rights. However, enforcement of these laws remains inconsistent, leaving many musicians vulnerable to exploitation. One of the major issues is that a large number of musicians are not registered with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS), which limits their ability to claim rightful royalties for their work.

Additionally, the absence of standardized contracts in the wedding music industry leaves musicians without a clear framework to ensure fair payment and protection of their intellectual property. Without formal agreements, many artists find themselves underpaid or deprived of their due earnings, despite their crucial role in the wedding celebrations.

Experts in the music industry argue that the time has come for change. "The Indian wedding season, while a celebration of culture and joy, often overlooks the rights of the musicians who make it special," said an industry expert. "It’s time to ensure that the people behind the music receive fair recognition and compensation for their work."

To address these issues, musicians and industry experts are calling for greater awareness of musicians' rights, the establishment of standardized contracts, and stricter enforcement of copyright laws. This would not only safeguard the interests of musicians but also promote a more ethical and sustainable wedding industry.

As the wedding season continues to grow and evolve, it’s crucial that we acknowledge and respect the rights of those who bring the magic of music to these momentous occasions. Protecting musicians' rights will ensure that they can continue to contribute to the cultural richness of Indian weddings with dignity and fairness.