Advanced Pallavi Competition

This category was inspired by the example of Prof. T.R. Subrahmanyam at the Madras Music Academy pallavi competition.

This is a special category. The winner of this competition will:

  • receive a tambura as a prize
  • be provided a 1-hour slot at next year's Festival, to perform a program that includes a pallavi

Please read these rules carefully before registering for the competition.

Eligibility

  • The competition is an individual event. Groups will not be allowed to enter.
  • The competition is open only to vocal and melody instruments (violin, flute, veena, etc.)
  • Entrants must be of age 25 or less (as of March 1), and must have lived in North America for the last at least five years.

Competition

  • The fee for this competition is US $125
  • The ragas for this category are Saraswathi, Poorvikalyani, Harikambodhi, Hindolam, and Mayamalavagowlai.
  • The talas are Adi and Kanda Thriputa.
  • The nadais are thisram, chathusram, and kandam.
  • The sahityam for the pallavi will be provided at the venue at 9:00am on the morning of the competition, along with a raga, tala, and nadai.
  • When seated for the competition, the entrant must perform a Ragam-Thanam-Pallavi, with thrikaalam, based on the given choices.
  • A strict time limit of fifteen (15) minutes will be imposed. A buzzer will signal the conclusion of the allotted time. The judges may also request the contestant to stop before the allotted time.
  • You may be questioned by the judges, or asked to demonstrate additional variations on your pallavi.
  • The decision of the judges is final and binding.
  • The application for registration and associated entry fee must be received by the deadline, March 8, 2026.

Registration for the competition is now closed. You can still view your entry by logging into the registration page, but you cannot add or change any entries.