Playback singer SP Charan, son of late legendary singer SP Balasubramaniyam, has shared in a Tamil interview on why he refuses when musicians ask permission to recreate his father's voice using Artificial Intelligence (AI). During the same, SP Charan also made a valid point about how the late singers are not given a choice, when the living choose to use their voice in a particular song.   

"If SPB was alive today, he could have listened to 'Manasilaayo' for example, no hard feelings to anybody, it might be a great song, but if the opportunity to sing for that song had come SPB's way, there is a chance that he could have said no to it. A singer has the right to choose whether he wants to sing the song or not. By AI, you are not giving that opportunity to the singer.

 

Because of the love and affection we have on them, if we think it would be nice if all the songs are sung by SPB or Malaysia Vasudevan, then that is not right. Be it Malaysia Vasudevan's 'Poongatru Thirumbuma', or all the songs from that film ('Mudhal Mariyadhai') , were legendary.. You can replicate a voice but you cannot replicate the emotion that comes with listening to those songs now-a-days. 

 

So many people do come and ask me if they can recreate dad's voice using AI. I vehemently say no. We don't as a family want that voice to be heard in any Tom, Dick and Harry's music. Even if it is a responsible music director, a sorted one, I say no. Please leave dad is what I say. He is there (points to the sky). Let him be there."   

 

Earlier this year, SP Charan sent a legal notice to Telugu music composer Vivek Sagar seeking an apology for unauthorized use of his father SP Balasubrahmanyam's voice. The notice also demanded appropriate damages and royalties for using recreating SPB's singing using AI.