Move over, corporate jingles, there’s a new legal symphony playing in the boardrooms of Bangladesh’s telecom giant Grameenphone, and it’s set to the haunting, soul-stirring tunes of the legendary Baul emperor Shah Abdul Karim.
But here’s the twist: They didn’t ask. They didn’t pay. They just played.
Now, the folk icon’s family is hitting back hard with a legal notice demanding a jaw-dropping Tk 20 crore in compensation and a public apology for what they’re calling a “commercial hijacking” of two of Karim’s most beloved songs: ‘Rangila Baroi’ and ‘Kon Mistri Nao Banaiche’.
Served by Supreme Court lawyer and barrister Rajin Ahmed on behalf of Shah Nurjalal, the son of the late cultural legend, the legal notice accuses Grameenphone of copyright forgery and moral rights violation under the Copyright Act, 2023.
The bombshell? The telecom titan allegedly used the songs in two major ad campaigns, one in 2016, the other in 2022, without permission, credit, or a single taka in royalties.
“They turned our father’s soul into a sales pitch,” said Nurjalal. “We village people may not be well-versed in the law, but we know this: if someone uses our father’s creation for commercial purposes, they must take our consent. And if they earn income from it, we certainly have a right to a share.”
The demand?
Immediate removal of all content containing the songs, online, TV, social media, within 72 hours.
A public apology crediting Shah Abdul Karim as the original artist. And Tk 20 crore in damages, Tk 10 crore per song, for unauthorised commercial use.
And if Grameenphone doesn’t comply within seven days?
Barrister Ahmed has promised a civil and criminal copyright war, complete with lawsuits, injunctions, and public hearings that could turn this into the biggest intellectual property battle in Bangladesh’s entertainment history.
Shah Abdul Karim, the voice of the soil, the poet of the heart, sang of love, mysticism, and the human condition. His songs weren’t meant to sell mobile data, they were meant to soothe the soul.
Yet, Grameenphone reportedly used his melodies to tug at heartstrings in emotional ad campaigns, blending rural nostalgia with urban connectivity, all without acknowledging the man who made it possible.
As of press time, Grameenphone has not issued an official statement. Just radio silence, ironic, given they run a telecom.
This case isn’t just about one company or one song. It’s a landmark moment for artists, heirs, and creators across the country.
With the Copyright Act, 2023 now in full force, this could be the start of a creative reckoning where brands learn that folk music isn’t free music.
So, to every ad agency, every corporation, every content creator out there: Want to use a legend’s voice? Better get permission. Because the next notice might not just be legal, it could be legendary.