It seems we have a new word for plagiarism–it's called "sampling." So KI (Kris Persad) "sampled" Jab Gori Ne from the 2000 Bollywood movie Bulandi, called it Same Gyul Twice and won the Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) in 2016.
In 2012, he "sampled" Dekhta Hai Tu Kya from the 2008 Bollywood movie Krazzy 4 and came up with Single Forever, another winning song.
In 2014, Ravi B "sampled" Chane Ke Khet Mein from the 1994 movie Anjaam and created a big hit called Bread. In 2010, Rikki Jai "sampled" Dil Mera Ek Aas Ka Panchhi and came up with Barman. That same year, Hunter gave us Puncheon, beautifully "sampled" from the title song of the 1975 movie Geet Ghatta Chal.
Another high-profile "sampler" was 2009 CSM winner Kenneth Salick who won with Radica, lifted almost entirely from Ek Masoom Sa Chehra, a song from the 2003 movie, Zinda Dil. Honourable mention goes to D'Hitman for his popular Mr Shanker, an almost perfect "sampling" of Jai Jai Shiv Shankar. There are many more examples but I think you get the point.
Truth be told, I enjoy listening to some of these songs and have no problem with the artists "creating" them if that's what their fans want. But I don't believe the fans necessarily want a copy of a Bollywood song. I think they want good songs but, apparently, by their own admission, these "creative" artists are incapable of creating such unless they copy Bollywood melodies.
I also have no problem with a private promoter making whatever rules he wants for his competition. If he's willing to accept plagiarised songs as entries, so be it. However, I have a real problem if taxpayers' money is used to fund any part of the competition (or, for that matter, any other private competition, such as Soca Monarch).
In that case, we, the taxpayers or our agent, should have a say in the rules. (You know, he who pays the piper calls the tune.) I'm on the side of those who insist on original compositions for the competition. (The big guns can still "create" their party songs or CDs using "borrowed" melodies.) It would also be a good idea for entrants to sign a declaration stating that their compositions are original. If it turns out that a winning entry was not, then prize-money would be forfeited.
On the world stage, you cannot sing someone else's melody, even a small part of it, and try to pass if off as your own without being ridiculed. It's just not right for taxpayers to be asked to fund what amounts to musical piracy.
 
Noel Kalicharan