Examinations
Bharateeya Sangeeta (Indian music) and the Nrutya (dance) are performing art forms. The practice levels are best judged by the practitioners themselves. In the Gurukul system, a disciple of music or dance continuously follows and learns from the Guru. In that sense, certifications or examinations do not matter, as the Guru and the disciple are fully aware of the disciple’s level of accomplishments and skills. Sangeeta Bharati encourages music and dance aspirants to focus on learning and on continuing the tradition of the Gurukul system as it has been followed through generations.
As circumstances change over time, if someone wants to take an examination to quantitatively assess their level of accomplishment, Sangeeta Bharati has designed a well-thought-out evaluation process.
Sangeeta, Nrutya, and Talavadya Examinations
Exam Registration for the Year 2025 is open now. Please hurry up!
Why examination?
We need a goal set and evaluated by an independent, competitive authority to periodically assess proficiency. This holistic and structured approach has its benefits.
1. Examination motivates one to have a goal, stay focused, and practice to achieve that goal.
2. The examination will help the student to know their strengths and weaknesses from their own standpoint compared to others and reflect on their knowledge and areas of improvement as necessary.
3. Successful completion of the examinations at different levels ensures a student knows all aspects of music set for a given level.
4. Completing examinations progressively and thereby moving into higher-level exams will have measurable learning and instill confidence.
5. Examinations will instill a sense of achievement in students.
6. For Gurus, it is a great way to reward their students for completing their course.
Similarly, contests are for younger populations who are not yet engaged in formal learning and can’t readily recognize the value of an art form. Still, they can be motivated with recognition and prizes.
The certification program is planned for students of Hindustani and Karnataka Sangeeta, as well as various dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathak. Under this program, students may seek certification in four major levels of proficiency.
A prerequisite for each level is passing the prior major level. A student becomes eligible for certification at a particular level by completing the corresponding practical, written, aural, and other tests administered by Sangeeta Bharati America.
Below are the Sangeeta Bharati examination levels. Each level is subdivided into three intermediary levels – Prathama, Dwiteeya, and Truteeya, with the first two being optional. This total of twelve levels corresponds to twelve years of learning, a typical learning span for any Bharatiya Vidya.
Nrutya, Vadana, and Gayana Certification Levels
(Karnataka Sangeeta, Hindusthani Sangeeta, Bharatanatya, Karnataka Talavadya or Mrudanga and Tabla)
1. Pravesha (प्रवेश)
2. Madhyama (मध्यम)
3. Vivardhita (विवर्धित) and
4. Vidwat (विद्वत्)
At the Sangeeta Pravesha level (a beginner level), a student is introduced to their respective art through simple lessons that help them become comfortable with the art vocabulary, compositions, and other forms. The syllabus and examination pattern will lay out the expectations for each level.
With 30 to 45 minutes of practice each day, one can complete Pravesha in an average of four years.
The Sangeeta Madhyama (senior) level is characterized by comfortable use of Gamakas in renditions, with an introduction to manodharma.
Vivardhita is characterized by manodharma sangeeta and preparation for Vidwat. Vidwat is at the performing/practitioner and knowledge-transfer level. Here, a musician will be evaluated with his peers.
1. Each category has subcategories – Prathama, Dwiteeya, Truteeya, etc.
2. The syllabus is not progressive. Instead, it is cumulative. Saying that Prathama syllabus is included in Dwiteeya, Dwiteeya syllabus (which also has Prathama portion) is included in Truteeya.
3. For those taking Dwiteeya, it has a syllabus from Prathama. Similarly, those taking Truteeya will have the Prathama and Dwiteeya syllabi included.
4. Prathama and Dwiteeya are only at an evolution level, which helps a student to see where they stand in practice. Truteeya is the certification level where a certificate is awarded.
5. Based on a student’s preparedness, they can choose any level or Prathama to Truteeya in progression.
Currently Offered Examinations and Contests
Karnataka Sangeeta
Pravesha (Junior) and Madhyama (Senior) level certifications in Karnataka classical music
Hindusthani Sangeeta
Pravesha (Junior) and Madhyama (Senior) level certifications in Hindusthani classical music
Bharatanatya
Pravesha (Junior) and Madhyama (Senior) level certifications in Bharatanatya, a type of Indian classical dance
Karnataka Talavadya
Pravesha (Junior) and Madhyama (Senior) level certification in Karnataka percussion music (Mrudanga)
Tabala
Pravesha (Junior) and Madhyama (Senior) level certification in Tabala
Timeline
Registration: From Ganesh Chaturthi to Vijayadashami
Registration with a late fee: Two weeks after Vijayadashami
Exams: 1st and 2nd weeks of December (1st and 2nd weekends for in-person)
Result: Sankranti, the following year
Convocation: The following year, during Dallas Navaratri Sangeeta and Nryutotsav
To take an exam conducted by Sangeeta Bharati, one should have learned from their Guru. Once they are ready, they can appear for the examination. The Sangeeta Bharati syllabus is detailed and requires a significant commitment of time and effort to prepare. Hence, it has “levels,” not “years.”
Becoming an accomplished musician or dancer is a long process, and it takes around 20 years from the start of learning. Still, our syllabus reflects the standard learning timeframe for Indian art, which is 12 years to reach the performer level, starting at the elementary level. So learn thoroughly from your Guru, practice, and prepare yourself well before taking the examination.
Examination Grades
Range | Result | Grade |
90% – 100% | First Class with Distinction | A+ |
80% – 89% | Passed in First Class | A |
70% – 79% | Passed in Second Class | B |
50% – 69% | Pass | C |
Below 50% in any subject | Failed To repeat, paper x, y, z will appear in the results column of the marks card for Junior Level 4 or Senior Level 4. For optional levels, Can proceed to the next level will be mentioned. | F |
Pravesha (Junior) Examination Fees
Pravesha Exams | Fees |
Prathama (Level 1) | $100 |
Dwiteeya (Level 2) | $150 |
Truteeya (Level 3) | $250 |
Chaturtha (Level 4) (Certification level) | $300 (Those who have skipped any prior levels have to pay the one-time difference amount, amounting to $800) |
Madhyama (Senior) Examination Fees
Madhyama Exams | Fees |
Prathama (Level 1) | $200 |
Dwiteeya (Level 2) | $300 |
Truteeya (Level 3) | $400 |
Chaturtha (Level 4) (Certification level) | $500 (Those who have skipped any prior levels have to pay the one-time difference amount, amounting to $1400) |
Sangeeta Bharati Certification Equivalents
Certification | Academic Equivalence |
Junior | Diploma |
Senior | Undergraduate Degree / Bachelor of Arts |
Vivardhit or Pre-Vidwat | An anchor level in Sangeeta Bharati |
Vidwat | Master of Arts |
Notes
1. Sangeeta Bharati provides free practice materials through its publications. It is not necessary to use Sangeeta Bharati materials; students are free to choose practice and study materials on their own or rely solely on those provided by their gurus.
2. The terms like “Vaggeyakara” and “Raga” have no equivalent English words, though words like “composer” and “scale” are inevitably used. For this reason, though it is not mandatory, we encourage the use of native terms predominantly in Sanskrit.
3. Sangeeta Bharati follows a standard procedure in selecting examiners. This requires that the examiners themselves have undergone thorough training and hold an educational qualification, such as a music/dance degree from an accredited university or college, or board certification.
4. Adults who have spent a good amount of time practicing music or dance and demonstrated their skill but have not taken any examinations can skip levels (including those marked mandatory) and appear at the level that best suits them. This requires a recommendation from their Guru, completion of the preclearance test (for example, attending only non-practical papers), and approval by the heads of the departments of Sangeeta Bharati.