Inviting all musicians to take part in Instrumental music competition (online) organized by Radha Govind Dham only, to provide a platform to various talented and enthusiastic artists out there to showcase their talents across America. Competitive or not, It’s for all.

The Competition is Online only and have various categories to participate in almost all age groups. 

Please select the category and age group from drop down below and enroll to play instruments of choice. You can participate in one or more of instruments category of your choice.

Categories: Hindustani Classical Percussion | Hindustani Classical Melody | Carnatic Classical Percussion | Carnatic Classical Melody
Age Groups: 10 and under | 11- 13 | 14 – 17 | 18 and above
Registration Fee: $25/category (Individual only)
Last day of registration and submission of video: August 05, 2023

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Vaadya Manjari – Instrumental Music Competition (Online)

Inviting all musicians to play classical Indian or devotional music on an instrument of their choice. Young or Adult , Competitive or not it’s open for all.

It’s simple to participate,

  • you can enroll in one or multiple categories of your choice from the drop-down above ( refer- sample list of instruments given below)
  • submit your entry (abide by rules and in a format we will send you an email for) by the competition deadline. 
  • All participants will be judged by an experienced artist in the respective category.
  • We will announce the winner on our social media pages post 3 weeks of deadline date and all participants will get a certificate and winner will get a trophy.

Sample list of instruments under each category is as follows

Hindustani Classical
   Melody: Sitar, Sarod, Rudra Veena, Sarangi, Santoor, Violin, Bansuri, Harmonium, Keyboard, Guitar, Saxophone
   Percussion: Tabla, Pakhawaj

Carnatic Classical
   Melody: Chitra Veena, Saraswati Veena, Violin, Venu, Mandolin, Guitar, Saxophone, Flute
   Percussion: Mridangam, Ghatam, Kanjira

Rules and Guidelines

1. Deadline for registration is August 05, 2023.

2. Deadline for submission of video is August 05, 2023.

3. A panel of judges will individually score a performance based on the rubrics. The judges may also consider additional criteria in their decision-making.

4. Participants must first complete registration at https://rgddallas.org/product/vaadya-manjari. They will create a video recording of their performance in a noise-free environment. This video will be uploaded to YouTube and a link to the YouTube video should be sent to shiksha@rgddallas.org along with the proof of registration.

5. Participants should not announce their name or any personal information in the video.

6. The competition is an individual event. Participants will perform solo.

7. No edits should be performed to the original video shot. If any edits are identified in the video, the participant will be disqualified.

8. Use of microphone and amplifier is allowed. 

9. No electronic sound effects allowed.

10. The videos will be sent to the judges for judgement.

11. Results will be announced in the first week of September 2023. The tentative Date as of now    is Tues, Sept 5th.            

12. Judges’ decisions will all be Final!! 

13. There will be First, Second, Third Places, then We may have Honorable mentions too. Honorable mention is either of the below types. 

             o Those are quite close to winners but below in hierarchy, but Judges really want to honor them explicitly looking at close scores.

              o   No competitor plus performance itself have some technical areas to improve before we declare them winners.

                o   Honorable Mention participants will get a certificate mentioning it instead.

14. All Participants will receive Certificates via email and First Prize Winner (if in USA) only will receive the prize post 2-3 weeks of results announcements.

15. Winners information will be sent to their email id provided as well as will be published on Shiksha facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069164662420&mibextid=ZbWKwL 

16. First place Winner video only will be published on facebook being consent is provided to publish the same.

Rules per Catergory

Hindustani classical percussion

1. Tanpura (electronic or string) accompaniment is compulsory.
2. Nagma/Lehra accompaniment is compulsory for Intermediate and Advanced level participants.
3. Participants should specify the Taal and RoopResha (Kaida, Raila, Peshkar, Gat, Tukda) at the beginning of the video recording.
4. Time limit for each age group is Under 10 yrs – 5 mins, 11-13 – 6 mins, 14-17 yrs – 8 mins, 18 and above (Competitive) is 10 mins. Participants going over the time limit will incur a 1 point penalty for every 10 to 30 secs over time limit. 

Hindustani classical melody

1. Tanpura (electronic or string) and tabla (electronic or live) accompaniment are compulsory.
2. Participants performing a classical piece should specify the raag and the taal of the bandish at the beginning of the video recording. They should also specify the aaroh and avroh of the raag they are presenting.
3. Time limit for each age group is Under 10 yrs – 5 mins, 11-13 – 6 mins, 14-17 – 8 mins, 18 and above (Competitive) is 10 mins. Participants going over the time limit will incur a 1 point penalty for every 10 to 30 secs over time limit.

Carnatic classical percussion

1. Participants must say what talam they are playing at the beginning of the video.
2. Participants can play any Talam.
3. Participants need to set the pace by showing the tala by hand before beginning to play.
4. Shruti or Tambura accompaniment is encouraged. If using accompaniment, it should be tuned.
5. If the participant can do konnakol or say the Korvai with putting the tala before playing it, there will be extra points awarded.
6. Time limit for each age group is Under 10 yrs – 5 mins, 11-13 – 6 mins, 14-17 – 6 mins, 18 and above is 8 mins. Participants going over the time limit will incur a 1 point penalty for every 10 to 30 secs over time limit.

Carnatic classical melody

1. Announce the details of the composition like the Raaga, Composer and taala
2. Use of electronic shruti/tambura accompaniment is encouraged.  If using this accompaniment, please have the instrument perfectly tuned.
3. No taala apps allowed.
4. For age-group 10 and under: Geetams/Swarjati (in two speeds); 11-13 yrs: Kriti or Varnam; 14-17: Kriti and 18 yrs and above: Kriti with Manodharmam (alaapanai and Kalpana swarams)
5. Time limit for each age group is Under 10 yrs – 5 mins, 11-13 – 6 mins, 14-17 – 6 mins, 18 and above is 8 mins. Participants going over the time limit will incur a 1 point penalty for every 10 to 30 secs over time limit.

Rubric

The participants will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Tonal quality

2. Matter presented in the performance

3. Manner of presentation

4. Laya & Taal

5. Overall Presentation

Judges