Entertainment

Singer Sonu Nigam attacked by MLA’s ‘selfie-seeker’ son

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2023

editor

Singer Sonu Nigam and his team were manhandled by Swapnil Phatarpekar, the son of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MLA Prakash Phatarpekar, at a music event in Chembur late Monday evening.

Nigam told TOI, “I am okay, but my brother (friend Rabbani Khan) is hurt. And my bodyguard is hurt.” Rabbani is the son of the late guru of Indian classical music Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan whose students include the who’s who of playback singing from Lata Mangeshkar to A Hariharan and Nigam himself. The incident, which was captured on camera, took place after Swapnil Phatarpekar, son of MLA Phatarpekar, insisted on taking a selfie with the singer. Nigam’s team did not recognise him. This led to a scuffle as Swapnil and his supporters manhandled Nigam and his team as the singer was leaving the stage.

A video of the incident went viral. The stage was dimly lit and one person is seen pushing another off the stage. Rabbani told TOI, “The attack was sudden and without provocation. This person whom we do not know, approached Sonuji for a selfie. When his bodyguard resisted, the man pushed him off the stage. Then he came towards Sonu. As Sonuji caught my hand, the attacker threw me off stage too. I fell from a height of eight feet. I landed on my spine.”

Rabbani was treated as an outpatient at a local Chembur hospital and discharged. “My X-ray reports are awaited. The pain is immense and I hope there are no internal injuries,” he said.
Rabbani’s brother Murtuza, the eldest son of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, was upset by the attack. He said, “This should not happen with artistes. They are not involved in politics. It could have been worse. I am thankful to the Almighty that my brother is okay.” MLA Phatarpekar did not answer calls or messages seeking comment. Swapnil has previously been involved in controversy. In April 2022, the BJP had alleged that he was behind a midnight incident of stone pelting after their ‘Pol Khol’ rathyatra against corruption.

Chembur police confirmed the incident and were verifying the sequence of events and recording statements. They later began the process of registering an offence against the MLA’s son and his supporters.

Entertainment

Court restrains Senaka Batagoda from singing 7 songs

Published

2 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

nipuni

The Colombo Commercial High Court yesterday issued an Enjoining Order restraining popular singer Senaka Batagoda from singing seven popular songs including “Api Kavuruda” and “Api Senasille”.

The order was issued by Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando after considering a complaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by musician Janath Kulathilake who was the combined lyrics, melody and music compositor of those seven songs sung by Senaka Batagoda.

The Colombo High Court Judge also censured the giving of those songs to other parties without written permission of the plaintiff.

The seven songs which was restrained under the enjoining order are “Api Kavuruda”, “Api Senasille”, “Alu Yata Gini”, “Rastha”, “Heena Walata Panak Thiyenawa”, “Senasuma” and “Hodama de”.

The plaintiff informed court that the intellectual property right related to these songs is a right that cannot be violated by anyone and singer Senaka Batagoda had violated the intellectual property rights of the plaintiff.

Considering these facts, an Enjoining Order was issued against singer Senaka Batagoda restraining him from singing seven songs by the Colombo Commercial High Court.

The case was filed by musician Janath Kulathilake alleging that singer Senaka Batagoda has violated his intellectual property right and copyright by not giving the economic benefits due to him. The plaintiff also seeks Rs.100 Mn compensation for the damage committed by the accused.Attorneys Thilini Hewawitharana and Sandun Senadhipathi appeared for the plaintiff.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Entertainment

President instructs to reopen National Art Gallery before year’s end

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2024

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, during an inspection tour yesterday (26), visited the John de Silva Memorial Theatre and the long-delayed National Art Gallery. Despite construction commencing in 2011, both projects remain incomplete.

President Wickremesinghe instructed officials to expedite the opening of the National Art Gallery before the year’s end, emphasizing the need for consensus among artists and architects. He also pledged government support for financial allocations. Additionally, he highlighted the demand for high-standard, affordable theatres in Colombo, questioning if such facilities could be provided following the completion of the John de Silva Theatre.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of consulting dramatists before making final decisions on construction and maintenance projects. He directed the Ministry Secretary to explore options for reviving the Lumbini Theatre and the Nawa Rangahala to support the theatre and also instructed the Ministry Secretary to take steps to construct a drama theatre in Colombo’s Sudarshi Premises.

Emphasizing the need to establish a national cultural zone encompassing the Nelum Pokuna, Kalabhavana, John de Silva Memorial Theatre, Museum, and related areas, the President instructed the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to prepare a comprehensive report on this initiative. Additionally, he urged officials to enhance Sri Lanka’s museum system to international standard and tasked them with identifying a suitable country for mentorship in this regard.

Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Additional Secretary Thilak Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Department of Cultural Affairs Yasintha Gunawardena, the team of architects from the University of Moratuwa who designed these buildings and the Navy officers who are in charge of the National Art Gallery renovations joined this event.

Prof. Praneeth Abhayasundara, Prof. Chandragupta Thenuwara, Parakrama Niriella, Mohamed Safeer and Saman Athavudahetti also spoke on behalf of the artists.

(President’s Media Division)