Information
đź“… Eligibility Criteria
- Open to US and Canada residents only.
- Age-based categories (Age as of Sept 1, 2026)
- Junior (7-12)
- Teen (13-19)
- Adult (20+)
đź’ł Entry Fee & Discounts
- Entry Fee:
- $45 per entry (non-refundable).
- Each participant may submit only one entry.
- Early Bird Discount:
- $45 $35 per entry if submitted on or before August 31, 2026.
- Late registrations will not qualify for the discount.
🗓️ Competition Timeline
âś… Registration Deadline:
All entry forms and payments must be submitted by August 31st, 2026 11:59 PM PT
âś… Video Upload Deadline:
Participants must upload and share their final performance video by September 30th, 2026 11.59 PMÂ PT
Note: No extensions will be granted. Late submissions will not be accepted.
âś… Results Announcement:
Winners will be announced on 2nd week of December, 2026 (tentative) via:
- Official email to all participants
- Gandharva USA social media pages
- Website and YouTube channel
🎥 Video Recording Guidelines
- Record your video with a phone camera or video camera placed on a stable stand.
- Use landscape mode with a plain, uncluttered background.
- Ensure clear audio – your voice and accompaniment (if used) must be distinctly audible.
- Guru cannot accompany the student
- No post-processing or editing of the performance video is allowed.
- At the beginning of the video, clearly state your Full name, city and raag name / name of composition.
- Tabla participants: state your taal.
- Youtube submission – Make sure you provide access to everyone with link.
- One entry per participant.
- Follow all instructions to avoid disqualification read FAQs.
🎙️ Performance Requirements
Vocal performance
- Vocal performance must be Hindustani Classical (Chhota Khayal or Tarana)
- Performance duration must be a minimum of 7 minutes to a maximum of 10 minutes
- It’s acceptable to refer to notes during your performance.
Tabla performance
- Tabla performances must include Rela, Kaida, and Tukda in Taal Teentaal, Jhaptaal Rupak or Ektaal.
- Adult category participants must perform Peshkar in addition to Rela, Kaida, and Tukda.Â
- Time duration should be a maximum of 7 minutes using live lehra, iLehra / lehra machine.
🏆 Judging Criteria
Judging Panel
Your performances will be reviewed by and esteemed panel of Hindustani Classical musicians:
- Vocal Music Competition will be judged by Smt. Apurva Gokhale ji
- Tabla competition will be judged by Shri. Ramdas Palsule ji.
(Judges may be subject to change. Additional guest judges may be added.)
All jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
🏆 Prizes
Cash Prizes
- 1st – $- 300| 2nd – $-200 | 3rd – $-150
- Winners receive an invitation to the awards ceremony in Chicago, with performance opportunities for first-place and special prize winners at Bahaar concert in Spring ’27.
- 20% off GMV NA exam fees for all participants
- Certificate for all participants