Carnatic Music Idol USA 2013 — Rules and Regulations

Entry and Eligibility

  • The participant should be between the ages of 5 and 25 (inclusive) to participate.
  • Individual participants will be divided into two categories by age: 5-14, and 15-25.
  • The competition is open only to vocalists.
  • The participant should be traditionally dressed, as and how she/he will appear for an Indian classical concert.
  • Preliminary round may be preceded by a screening round, depending on the number of entries received for the preliminary round. In such a case, the screening will take place the day before the preliminary round or a date announced by the local host organization.
  • The participant should be prepared with three krithis in three different ragas to perform for the competition. The judges may select any part from any of the 3 listed items.
  • The duration of every participant's performance in front of the judges is solely the judge's discretion.
  • The local host organization may charge an entry fee for participating in the preliminary round solely at their discretion. The entry fee, if any, is not refundable.

Preliminary Round

Groups

  • Groups should be composed of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 participants.
  • The groups should provide 3 song choices for the prelims, and 3 different choices if selected for the finals.
  • All three choices should be krithis — no varnams or geethams. No niraval or kalpana swarams. Alapana is allowed.
  • Performance time for groups: For prelims — minimum 5 minutes; Finals — minimum 10 minutes.
  • If selected for finals, one pancharathnam is compulsory.

For Junior and Senior

  • No one else, apart from the participant, can be on stage before, after, or during the performance.
  • The participant should carry his/her own sruthi box / tambura with proper cables and adaptors. We will provide only power points.
  • There will be no accompaniments provided for the preliminary level contests. Accompaniments will be provided only for the final stages.

Judging

  • The Judges' decision will be final in all cases. No arguments, disputes, or conversation with the panel will be entertained.
  • The judges/organizers have the right to disqualify any participant on the grounds of misbehavior, violation of the rules, misconduct, disrespect to the judges, or not meeting the requirements of the competition.
  • If the selected participants fail to report to the next round, the opportunity will be given to the immediate wait-listed candidate chosen/reserved by the judges.

Policies

  • The Grand Finale will be held in Chicago. The participants must be willing to travel to the preliminary contest centers and to Chicago to participate in the final, as necessary, at their own expense.
  • The above listed rules are for the preliminary selections only. If selected for the finals, the rules will be slightly changed and will be intimated at the appropriate time.
  • The participant's visibility on television during the telecast is solely at the discretion of Maximum Media. The participant, parent, or guru, will not have any claims about appearance, non-appearance, or duration of appearance whatsoever.
  • All the rules mentioned above shall apply uniformly across all centers in North America.
  • Should there be any changes to the rules, it will be communicated by the local host organization.
  • All legal disputes will be settled under Chennai jurisdiction.