Noted playback singer K Yesudas' demand for royalty from singers rendering his songs in public performances has snowballed into a major controversy.

The Musicians Welfare Association on Tuesday threatened to move court if the government failed to intervene and sort out the matter.

"Royalty has become an issue only for big names, while those who contribute from behind the scenes are finding it difficult even to make a living," the association president K Salam told reporters.

Accusing Yesudas of exploiting the film industry and trying to cut into the earnings of musicians in small towns and rural areas, mostly engaged in performing in ganamelas (festivals of music), he said Indian Performance Rights Society should not be allowed to take a share from the earnings of ordinary artistes, who anyway earn very little.

"Let Yesudas not forget that he shot to fame singing the songs of the likes of Chembai (late Chembai Vaidyanathan, a renowned carnatic vocalist)...is he ready to pay for them now?" Salam asked.

Urging the Antony government to intervene in the matter, he said thousands of musicians who make their living through stage performances would be forced to "end their lives" if royalty was allowed as demanded by Yesudas.

"We are also looking into the final option of taking the issue to the court if the government fails to sort out the matter amicably," Salam said.