Classical Music

A severely competitive event, this event showcases some of the best rising talent in Indian Classical Music from all over the country. This event draws a large, dedicated audience that grows in size every year, and is judged by the very best in the field.

The Classical Music Event showcases some of the best rising talent in Indian Classical Music from all over the country. Year after year this event has surprised the critics, managing to draw an audience comparable to any other event. The competition has always been severe and the judges, some of the best in the field.

Rules

General rules

1. Artistes with B-high or higher grades in their respective fields in the AIR are not allowed to participate as this competition is meant for amateurs and semi-professionals.
2. We will not be able to arrange for separate judges for Hindustani Classical. The same judges will judge both styles and these judges are likely to be Carnatic Musicians.
3. Those planning to come to the halls in which the competition is being held (including participants) are requested to switch off their mobile phones or keep them in silent mode. If there is a violation of this rule by a participant, he/she might be disqualified. Everyone present in the hall is expected not to move about in the hall while there is a participant performing. Once you are in the hall, you can move out only during the 1 min break between 2 participants.
4. We will make available an electronic sruti box. No other instruments will be made available. Instrumentalists are expected to bring their own instruments.
5. Judges decision shall be final in all respects & shall be accepted without question.
6. Registration will be conducted at the Hospi Desk on the date of the competition. Pre-registration is not necessary.

Vocal Prelims

1. Time limit: 10 mins (this might be reduced if there are too many participants). The judges may opt to make it shorter if they think they have heard enough of you.

Carnatic

1. In general, varnams, swarajathis and geethams are not accepted as kritis, but there are a few exceptions (e.g. Shyama Shatri's swarajathis). If you intend to sing/play one of the above or pieces like tiruppugazh, tillana and pieces considered as tukkadas, you must e-mail one of the coordinators atleast 2 days in advance (before 22nd) to clarify if that particular piece will be allowed, so that we can avoid any sort of confusion on the day of the prelims.
2. Participants have to sing 1 'kriti'.
3. All participants are strongly encouraged to sing one or more of the following: ragam, neraval, kalpana swarams. Though there may be exceptional cases where a kriti alone might take a participant through to the finals, normally it does not happen. Please remember that this round is for seeing if you have the potential to win the competition and not decide the winner. So, you need not sing all the three to qualify for the finals.
4. We also advise you against singing lighter raagams like Revathi, Bhaagyashree and Shivaranjini. You are encouraged to sing gana/rakti raagams (in that case, it may also turn out to be favourable to you, if you sing that piece well).

Hindustani

1. Participants have to sing one raga, and it may contain one or two songs. Dhrupads, Khayals and Taranas are allowed. Thumris, Tappas, Bhajans and Ghazals will not be allowed. If in doubt, send a mail to one of the coordinators to confirm that the song you are preparing will be accepted.
2. If the khayal that you are singing has been adapted in films, then the improvisation that you do has to be markedly different from the improvisation in the cinematic versions.
3. The performance must ordinarily contain at least two of the following: Anibaddh Alaap, Bol Alaap, Sargam and Taans. In other words, you will have to demonstrate the ability to improvise on the spot.
4. You will be allowed to use an electronic Tabla but you will be required to switch off the electronic display of the taal cycle. In other words, you will have to demonstrate the ability to read the bol of the Tabla. Alternatively, you may be accompanied by one person on the Tabla. No non- percussion accompaniment is allowed.

Finals

1. Depending on the level and strength of the competition, around 5-12 participants may qualify for the finals. If you qualify for the finals, you will have to give a list of 5 kritis in different ragas. You may not sing the same raga that you sang in the prelims. No changes to the list would be encouraged once you submit it.
2. All finalists are assumed to be competant enough to sing raagam and kalpana swarams in each of the 5 kritis, and neraval in most of the kritis.
3. The finalists may be asked by the judges to move ahead and sing neraval/kalpana swarams. The judges may impose different types of creative restrictions to evaluate your talent. All of this is left to the judges’ discretion.
4. Since the aim of this round is to decide a winner and most of the rules are dictated by the judges, there is no strict limit on the time alloted, though we expect that a participant will not take more than 20 min.

Hindustani

1. A list of 5 ragas must be submitted before the start of the finals. Please note that the list should not have the raga you rendered in the prelims. No changes to the list would be encouraged once you submit it.
2. The participant will be assumed competent enough to render a full performance in all the ragas. There are no limitations on the number of songs you sing, but your performance will have to encompass at least two layas.
3. The judges may ask you to move ahead and sing sargam/tans. They might impose all sorts of creative restrictions; prescribe the bol to use for the tans etc. All of this is left to the judges’ discretion.
4. Since the aim of this round is to decide a winner and most of the rules are dictated by the judges, there is no strict limit on the time alloted, though we expect that a participant will not take more than 20 min.

Non-Percussion

1. All instruments will be judged together.
2. One person can participate only once.
3. Regarding the pieces that can be played, the same rules as those for vocal prelims apply.
4. Time limit: 8 minutes, though this might change depending on the number of participants.

Percussion

1. Electronic instuments are not allowed.
2. The participants will be required to give a list of three talams in which they are prepared to play a thani avarthanam or a solo piece. The judges may ask them to play one more tala from the list provided.
3. Participants may also be required to recite the korvais or other pieces played on judges’ demand.
4. Participants may play in Carnatic/Hindustani style. However, they will not be judged separately.
5. Time limit: 8 minutes, though this might change depending on the number of participants. Please stick to the time limit.
6. Any sort of assistance to aid rhythm like music, rhythm clocks etc. are not allowed.

For any further clarifications, contact the coordinators at krc12353@gmail.com