Plagiarism and its good side...

Please don't take me wrong, let me explain...

There have been quite a few comments in the media regarding music director Deepak Dev lifting the tune of his song "Aaro Nee Aaro" in Urumi from Loreena McKennit's "Caravanserai". I came to know about it from a mail forwarded by my DH and listened to clippings of both the songs. Deepak Dev himself clarified in an interview that he was inspired by "Celtic music" when he composed the song, but did not mention any artist in particular. He himself admitted that it was very easy to catch copying these days due to the presence of the internet.

Yes, the songs are really alike, the instruments used are slightly different, that's all.

Now comes the good side - in a bid to confirm the act of plagiarism, I personally have come to know a new musician. Yesterday, I visited Loreena McKennit's website and read through it while listening to a few of her songs on YouTube. For those who don't know, she is a Canadian singer who is deeply fascinated by Celtic music. And what I've heard has just whetted my appetite for more. I shall be visiting several CD shops to see if they have any of her albums - I sure hope at least one shop will have them. The melodies are simply haunting. Besides, I also got this from her site where she tells us about herself. These are the principles that she has set as her "compass points"

• Be compassionate and never forget how to love.
• Think inclusively.
• Reclaim noble values such as truth, honesty, honour, courage.
• Respect one's elders and look to what they have to teach you.
• Be empathetic.
• Look after the less fortunate in society.
• Promote and protect diversity.
• Respect the gifts of the natural world.
• Set your goals high and take pride in what you do.
• Cherish and look after your body, and, as the ancient Greeks believed, your mind will serve you better.
• Put back into the community as there have been those before you have done the same and you are reaping what they sowed.
• Participate in and protect democracy. It does not thrive as a spectator sport.
• Undertake due diligence in everything.
• Seek balance and space, and solitude.
• Don't be afraid to feel passionate about something.
• Learn to be an advocate and an ambassador for good.
• Be mindful of your limitations.
• Indulge and nurture your curiosity as it will keep you vital.
• Take charge of your life and don't fall into the pit of entitlement.
• Assume nothing and take nothing for granted.
• Things are not necessarily what they seem.

I was totally bowled over by this wonderful, self-realized artiste. Thank you, Deepak Dev for bringing such a genius into my world!