Scholarships

Sangeeta Bharati America Inc.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

US college scholarship for Indian classical music and dance students

Sangeeta Bharati America is a volunteer-based organization established to promote Indian classical music and dance in the United States of America.

As the Hindu faith and India are the roots of many kinds of music and dance fine art forms, Sangeeta Bharati is an effort of Hindu Americans to nourish the roots by practicing, performing, promoting Indian classical music and dance and uniting the practitioners and the art lovers (rasikas). Along these lines, to encourage students to continue practicing music and dance through their college life, Sangeeta Bharati will be awarding college scholarships starting in 2024.

Currently Offered Scholarships

Type	Number *	Amount *
Pravesha (Junior) Sangeeta	3	$1001
Pravesha (Junior) Talavadya	3	$1001
Pravesha (Junior) Bharatanatya	3	$1001
Madhyama (Senior) Sangeeta	1	$2501
Madhyama (Senior) Talavadya	1	$2501
Madhyama (Senior) Bharatanatya	1	$2501

*The number and amount given in the table are what Sangeeta Bharati guarantees. Both will increase based on the community contribution each year.

Understanding the Sangeeta Bharati scholarship process

At present, the scholarship is offered for those who have completed the Junior or Senior Karnataka Shastreeya Sangeeta or Talavadya examinations conducted by Sangeeta Bharati America with a minimum grade of B. The scholarship will be extended to Hindustani classical music and Indian classical dance forms in the future.
Students are required to enroll in an accredited college or university in the United States.
Scores in the music/dance exam, the quality of essays and other responses, and the overall music/dance profile of the applicant are the criteria for scholarship selection.
There is no minimum GPA or college test score required to be eligible as an applicant for the scholarship.
The designated committee will award available scholarships in a given year to applicants based on the selection criteria. The committee's decision is final and cannot be challenged.
The scholarship amount is $1001 for those who completed their Junior music/talavadya examination, and $2501 for those who completed their Senior examination.
The scholarship will be awarded once a year, paid in two parts: Once at the beginning of college and once after completing the Sangeeta Bharati sponsored course from the Hindu University of America (HUA).
Scholarships will be sent to the bursar office, treasurer office, or similar administrator in a given college after receiving the student ID, receiver address, and other information from the selected students.
Students are required to apply each year irrespective of their previous selection.
Immediate family members of the Sangeeta Bharati board or the Sangeeta Bharati scholarship selection committee are not eligible for this scholarship.

they will provide proof of admission or attendance to an accredited college or university in the US.
they will complete the Hindu University of America (HUA) prescribed, Sangeeta Bharati sponsored course each time they are selected for a scholarship (with varying course topics).
they will allow their picture/audio/video and a brief bio to appear on Sangeeta Bharati’s website and its other social media channels.
they acknowledge that the organization may proceed with legal action in the case of any misrepresented information found at a later stage.

Timeline

Registration Start Date: The registration opens on Sankranti (Jan 14-15) every year, and the essay topic (essay prompt) is announced on the same day on Sangeeta Bharati’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SangeetaBharatiAmerica and other social media channels.

Registration End Date: Hindu New Year “Chandramana Yugadi” (March-April).

Announcement of selection: May 15th.

May 15th to May 31st: Selected students are to send bursar-like contact of their college and a photograph with an entirely plain background (similar to a passport photo).

June 1st to June 15th: Scholarship checks will be mailed to respective colleges/universities.

Application Process

Once the essay is announced on Sankranti day, between Sankranti and Chandramana Yugadi, email the below details to scholarships@sangeetabharati.org.

The subject should be: Scholarship [YEAR]: [First Name] [Last Name]
Attach the essay to this email in Word or PDF format. Students must write the essay in their own words. Any detection of plagiarism is grounds for automatic disqualification.
As another attachment, please provide your profile with the following details:

Date of birth.
Full name.
Music or dance examination registration number.
Music or dance learned source (Guru’s small introduction or other learning modes like self-learning).
Your core strength or specialty in your music or dance. Share a link to a performance video (do not attach a video file).
Any kind of contribution to the music or dance beyond performing at arranged concerts.
After your examination and until now, how is your music life? How has it changed since you completed the exam?
A paragraph on what music or dance means to you and what kind of role you envision it having for the rest of your life.
A paragraph on what you are planning to use this scholarship for.

Scholarship selection committee (2024 - 2029)

Smt. Rajarajeshwary Bhat, an eminent musician, Houston, TX.
Shri. Srinath Chakravarty, Faculty, Hindu University of America.
Smt. Anjali Patel, HSS, USA.
Shri. Shivakumar Naganna, Secretary, Sangeeta Bharati.
Chi. Mithilesh Bhaskaruni, Treasurer, Sangeeta Bharati, and Chairman of Scholarship Committee.

Advisory Committee

Questions? Please write to scholarships@sangeetabharati.org