Bharateeya Sangeet (Indian music) and the Nrutya (dance) are performing art forms. The practice levels are best judged by the practitioner 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. Sangeet Bharati encourages music and dance aspirants to focus on learning and continuing the tradition of Gurukul system in the way it has been followed through generations.
With change in time and circumstances, if someone wants to take an examination as a means of quantitatively assessing his or her individual level of accomplishment, Sangeet Bharati has designed a well thought evaluation process.
Why examination?
It is necessary to have a goal set and evaluated by an independent and competitive authority to assess the proficiency from time to time. This holistic and structured approach has its own 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 with a standpoint of themselves compared to others and mirrors one’s own knowledge and areas of improvement as necessary.
3. Successful completion of the examinations at different levels makes sure a student knows all aspects of music set for a given level.
4. Completing examinations progressively and thereby moving into higher-up exams will have measurable learning and instills 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.
The certification program is planned for the students of Hindustani and Karnataka Sangeetam as well as different dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak. Under this program, students may seek certification in four major levels of proficiency.
A prerequisite for each level is to have passed the prior major level. A student becomes eligible to receive certification at a particular level by successfully completing the corresponding practical, written, aural and other tests conducted by the Sangeet Bharati America.
Below are the Sangeet 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.
Karnataka Sangeetam
1. Karnataka Sangeeta Praveshika (प्रावेशिक)
2. Karnataka Sangeeta Madhyamika (माध्यमिक)
3. Karnataka Sangeeta Vivardhita (विवर्धित) and
4. Karnataka Sangeeta Vidwat (विद्वत्)
At Sangeeta Praveshika level (a beginner level), a music student is introduced to Karnataka music through simple music lessons like making one comfortable with the musical vocabulary, different musical compositions, and composers. Rendering a composition to Shruti and Tala is taught. This category is characterized by learning the Karnatak compositions up to Gamakam. The syllabus and examination pattern will lay out the expectation for each level.
With 30 to 45 minutes of practice each day, one can complete Prathamika in an average of three years.
A Sangeeta Madhyamika (a senior) level is characterized by the comfortable use of Gamakams in renditions with an introduction to manodharma.
Vivardhita is characterized by manodharma sangeetam and preparation for Vidwat. Vidwat is performing/ practitioner and knowledge transfer level. Here, a musician will be evaluated with his peers.
Karnataka Talavadya
1. Karnataka Talavadya Praveshika (प्रावेशिक)
2. Karnataka Talavadya Madhyamika (माध्यमिक)
3. Karnataka Talavadya Vivardhita (विवर्धित) and
4. Karnataka Talavadya Vidwat (विद्वत्)
1. Each category has subcategories – prathama, dwiteeya and truteeya.
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, for those taking truteeya, it will have a syllabus from prathama and truteeya 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, he/she can choose any level or prathama to truteeya in progression.
With the support from the students and fraternity of Indian fine arts, we gradually expand it to other levels of Karnataka Sangeetam and Talavadya as well as Hindustani music and the various dance forms of India. When conducted, Hindustani Sangeetam and Nrutya (dance) will have similar certification levels. E..g, Hindustani Praveshika, Nrutya Praveshika in Bharatanatyam.
Examinations Currently Offered
Karnataka Sangeeta Praveshika
Karnataka Talavadya Praveshika
A beginner-level certification
in Karnataka Sangeetam and Percussion Mrudangam
Timeline
Registration: From the first day of Ganesh Chaturti to Vijayadashami
Examination: December 25th to December 31st.
Result announcement: Sankranti, the following year.
Useful links
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ & A)
Study materials until Sangeet Bharati books are available
To take an exam conducted by Sangeet Bharati, one should have learned from his or her Guru. Once they are ready, they can appear for the examination. The Sangeet Bharati syllabus is detailed and it requires a significant commitment of time and effort for someone to prepare. Hence, it has “levels” and not “years”.
Becoming an accomplished musician or a dancer is a long process and it takes around 20 years after the student starts the learning process. Still, our syllabus reflects the standard learning timeframe for an Indian art which is 12 years to reach the performer level, starting from an elementary level. So learn thoroughly from your Guru, practice, and prepare yourself well before taking the examination.