Pre-Vidwat (Vivardhita/विवर्धित)

(A Vidwat Preparation Level for Karnataka Sangeeta Musicians)

The Pre-Vidwat level serves as a foundational bridge, focusing on Indian languages to prepare students for the advanced Vidwat level examination. At this stage, students master an Indian language of their choice to effectively present their Vidwat-level lessons.

Program Details

  • Prerequisites: Completion of the Senior-level examination is mandatory.
  • Language Selection: Students may select any Indic language utilizing the Brahmi script, such as Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit, Malayalam, or Tamil.
  • Examination Structure: This is a single-level examination.

Learning Expectations

To successfully complete the Pre-Vidwat level, students are expected to:

  • Render a set of five compositions in their chosen language.
  • Answer both verbal and written questions in that language.
  • Example: If a student selects Kannada, they may render five Haridasa Keertanams and complete the assessment in Kannada.

Timeline & Fees

  • Duration: For students new to Indian languages, the average completion time is two years, supported by a network of linguistic organizations across the US.
  • Accelerated Path: Students already proficient in an Indian language may appear for the Pre-Vidwat exam immediately following their Senior examination.
  • Fees: Examination fees are nominal.
  • Financial Support: Sangeeta Bharati may offer stipends to eligible students appearing for Pre-Vidwat and Vidwat levels.

Vidwat Syllabus Preview

As students progress to the Vidwat level, the curriculum will include:

  • Major Works: All Swarajatis by Shyama Shastri (Telugu).
  • Advanced Forms: Daru Varnams, Padams, and compositions in rare Ragas.
  • Specialized Study: In-depth focus on the works of legendary composers such as Veene Sheshanna and Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar.