We have heard of gold, money getting robbed, but now even poems! Ever wondered how a poem could be robbed?

It's sad to see the art getting robbed and changed.

Recently, a Poet Aamir Azriz's poem titled “Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega” has been used without his credit, concern, or permission by an internationally celebrated artist Anita Dube.

It's sad to see this, that even artists misuse things when they are the artists themselves.

What Happened?

Renowned poet Aamir Aziz, known for his powerful and evocative writing, penned the poem "Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega", a piece that resonated deeply with many for its raw emotion and political undertones. However, to the shock of many in the literary and art community, this poem was recently used in an international exhibition curated by celebrated contemporary artist Anita Dube, without giving Aziz any credit, seeking his consent, or even informing him.

After facing backlash from artists and audiences who recognized the work and called out the injustice, Anita Dube apologized. But what’s the use of an apology when the damage is already done? The words were taken, displayed, and interpreted without the poet’s voice or permission. An apology doesn’t undo the erasure, nor does it restore the respect that should’ve been shown in the first place. He had also sent a Legal notice and asked for accountability, and in return, he got silence, half-truths, and insulting offers.

This raises pressing questions about intellectual property, especially in the realm of art, where boundaries between inspiration and appropriation often blur. But when a fellow artist, someone who understands the blood, sweat, and soul that goes into creating, fails to acknowledge the original creator, it hits harder.

Aamir Aziz’s voice matters. His consent matters. And in an age where so much of our art is born from struggle, resistance, and lived experience, credit is not just a courtesy. It’s a responsibility.

Because if we don’t respect the origin of words, how can we claim to respect the message they carry?

Why Does This Matter?

It’s not just about one poem. It’s about respecting creative ownership and giving credit where it’s due. In a world where plagiarism and content theft are rampant online, such incidents in respected art circles set a damaging precedent. If artists begin to exploit other artists under the veil of "collaboration" or "inspiration" without proper acknowledgement, where does it stop?

Art is meant to uplift, provoke thought, and connect, but never at the cost of silencing its creator.

And this doesn't stop here, but unfortunately, there have been several instances where artists, poets, or writers have had their work used without consent or credit. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Rupi Kaur’s Instagram Poems Plagiarized

What happened: Rupi Kaur, a well-known contemporary poet, has had multiple pieces from her books, like Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers, copied and circulated online without credit. Some were even rebranded by influencers or other accounts claiming them as original thoughts.

2. Instagram Poets and Pinterest Theft

What happens often: Poets and micro-writers on platforms like Instagram and Tumblr regularly report their works being screenshot and shared on Pinterest, in ads, or even on merchandise, without name or permission. Their words are turned into wall art, mugs, or captions, stripping away original identity.

3. Ankur Tewari vs Bollywood Music

What happened: Singer-songwriter Ankur Tewari has publicly spoken out about the Bollywood industry using independent artists' lyrics or tunes as “inspiration” without formal acknowledgment or credit. This blurred line between inspiration and theft is common in commercial entertainment.

It's sad to see artists begin to rob. Art speaks to the soul. How could anyone rob a soul? The crime that never gets over, but even this would be a part of the crime, never thought.

When we protect art, we protect freedom of expression, truth, and creativity. But when we allow it to be stolen, silenced, or misused, we don’t just harm an individual, we diminish the collective soul of society.

Artists don’t just create, they feel, observe, and translate the world into something meaningful. Their work deserves respect, recognition, and protection.

Fun Fact: The first recorded case of plagiarism dates back to the 4th century BCE when Plato accused the poet Lon of stealing ideas from Homer without credit!

Seems like the word "theft" has been around as long as literature itself!

What Can We Do?

1. Educate Creators About Their Rights:

• Many artists and writers aren’t fully aware of their copyright rights or how to protect their work. 
• Workshops, webinars, and simple online guides can help them understand intellectual property laws and how to file a claim if needed.

2. Credit Culture:

• Build and normalize a culture of giving credit.
• Whether you’re resharing a poem on Instagram or using a quote in a presentation, always mention the original creator.
• Encourage your community to speak up when they see uncredited work.

3. Watermark & Timestamp Your Work:

• While not foolproof, adding watermarks, your name, or even a subtle signature line to your visuals or poetry can deter theft.
• Posting your work on platforms that record timestamps (like Medium or Substack) helps prove originality in case of conflict.

4. Community Solidarity:

• Support original artists. If someone’s work is being stolen, amplify their voice.
• The more people call it out, the harder it is for the thief to get away with it.

5. Call It Out - Loudly, But Ethically:

• If someone has stolen content, call them out respectfully and publicly if needed.
• This helps create accountability and may lead to policy changes from platforms or organizations.

A theft is a theft, even if it’s just copy-pasting someone’s poem or idea.

It may not seem like a big deal to many, but to the creator, it’s not just content, it’s a piece of their soul.

Art doesn’t come from convenience; it comes from courage, vulnerability, and expression.

To steal someone’s art is to silence their voice.

To misuse their work is to betray the very essence of what art stands for.

When will people understand this?

Will it take walking in an artist’s shoes, feeling their pain, to finally see the harm?

So the next time you see something powerful, a poem, a drawing, a quote, pause before reposting.

Ask: Whose voice is this?

And if you find it, honour it.

Because when we respect art, we respect humanity.

And in a world full of noise, the least we can do is not rob the silence that speaks volumes through someone else’s truth.

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