Passion 2023 Rules and Regulations

Performance Categories

Passion 2023 will be conducted for two performance categories:

• Vocal
  This includes Hindustani Classical Vocal Khayal performance. Semi-classical, thumri, natya-sangeet, folk music, ghazal, light music, tappa, etc. are not included. Karnatak Classical vocal is also not included at this stage. Any form of Khayal Gayaki is included - Vilambit Khayal, Bandish, Tarana. Drupad will be accepted.

• Tabla
  This year we are including exclusive category for Tabla. Only Tabla Solo is allowed. At this stage, we are NOT including Pakhawaj or any other form of percussion instruments.

See the section on the rules around Group-wise requirements of the performance.

Eligibility

The competition is being conducted for two performance categories and three age groups as indicated below.

Competition Rounds

The competition will take place in the following three rounds.

• Preliminary Round will involve screening of videos from participants received on Google Drive, via the link sent by Suranjan.

• Second Round of selected participants will be held on Suranjan’s Facebook Live platform.

• Final Round of selected participants will be held as an in-person concert at Mumbai.

Prizes

Here are the prizes and rewards to be won during the Passion 2021 competition for both Vocal and Instrumental categories.

• The participants standing first in each Group shall be given prizes as follows:

  • Group I: Rs.5,000
  • Group II: Rs. 10,000
  • Group III: Rs. 25,000

• Participants standing second and third will be awarded certificates and will be given an opportunity to perform on Suranjan's platform.

• All other participants will receive a participation certificate.

Registration

Below are the guidelines for registering for the competition.

• Last date for Registration is 9th July, 2023. Note that no registrations will be accepted after this date.

• Registration Fee is Rs 350 for participants from India and USD 5 for participants from outside of India. It needs to be paid online while registering using one of the many options available including UPI, Net Banking, etc.

• Specify your Date of Birth correctly. The appropriate Group will be auto-selected. Incorrect Date of Birth will result into rejection of the entry. See the Eligibility section above for more details.

• Please upload your Age Proof while registering. Any Government Issued document that has the name and Date of Birth is acceptable. This includes Passport, Aadhar, PAN, Birth Certificate, SSC/HSC Certificate, School or College Leaving Certificate etc.

• Your mobile number and email ID are very important. All communication will be sent via these channels via WhatsApp.

• Young children can provide the mobile phone numbers of their parents.

• Registration Fee is non-refundable

• Registration will be valid only if Suranjan can verify the Date of Birth via the proof uploaded during registration. Any discrepancy found in Date of Birth will result into cancellation of your entry.

Performance Guidelines - Vocal

The following is a set of performance guidelines to be kept in mind by the participants performing in Classical Vocal category.

• Acceptable Performance: The performance must be purely of Hindustani Classical Music. Any form of Khayal like Bandish, Vilambit Khayal, Tarana are are accepted. Only for Group III, Vilambit Khayal is mandatory. For other groups, there is no restriction. Drupad performance is also accepted.

• Unacceptable Performance: Any form of vocal performance apart from pure khayal and Drupad are not accepted. Natyasangeet/ Film Music/ Semi-classical Music is strictly not permitted. Karnatak Classical is also not included.

• Tanpura and Tabla are a must. Participants can use an electronic Tabla/Tanpura machine. Apps facilitating the use of a Tabla and Tanpura such as iTablaPro are also permitted. You can use accompanists from outside.

• Harmonium accompaniment is allowed only for Group I. Harmonium Accompaniment is not allowed for Group II and Group III. Please make a note of this.

• Even for first group, while harmonium is allowed as an accompaniment, the participant should not play harmonium herself/himself and perform.

• Participants tuning and using a manual Tanpura could be given grace marks, according to the decision made by the judges.

• Performance specifications:

  • Group I: Any form of khayal - Bandish, Tarana, etc.
  • Group II: Any form of khayal - Bandish, Tarana, etc.
  • Group III: Vilambit Khayal is compulsory, followed by any khayal. This is applicable to Vocal and Instrumental categories.

  Apart from the compulsion of Vilambit khayal for Group III, there are no restrictions as such. We encourage you to perform whatever has been taught to you by your Guru and what you are most comfortable with. It has to be pure classical khayaal and must be within the stipulated time.

  Time Limit:

  • Group I: Maximum 6 minutes
  • Group II: Maximum 10 minutes
  • Group III: Maximum 15 minutes

  While recording, ensure that background arrangement should be proper, be seated on a carpet or "satranji" with some presentable background. Avoid sitting on bed for example.

  Please give a thought to the dress code (you and accompanists) so that it is in line with the art you are performing. Casual wear like T-shirts may be avoided.

  You can perform the same Raag for all rounds. There is no special consideration, marks for different Raag for various rounds.

Performance Guidelines - Tabla Round

The following guidelines apply to Tabla Round.

• Acceptable Performance: This year we are accepting only Tabla solo performances. Participants must perform solo classical tabla. No other form is acceptable.

• Unacceptable Performance: Percussion instruments other than Tabla, such as Pakhawaj, Mridangam, Ghatam, etc. are not included at the moment.

• Lehra is a must. Participants can use an electronic machine for Lehara. Apps facilitating the use of a Lehra such as iLehra, iLehra Pro etc. are also permitted. You can use accompanists from outside as well for Lehara.

• Peshkar is mandatory for Group III

• Apart from the compulsion of Peshkar for Group III, there are no restrictions as such. We encourage you to perform whatever has been taught to you by your Guru and what you are most comfortable with. It has to be pure classical Tabla Solo and must be within the stipulated time.

• Time Limit:

  • Group II: Maximum 10 minutes
  • Group III: Maximum 15 minutes

  Same guidelines are applicable for all rounds.

  While recording, ensure that background arrangement should be proper, be seated on a carpet or "satranji" with some presentable background. Avoid sitting on bed for example.

  Please give a thought to the dress code (you and accompanists) so that it is in line with the art you are performing. Casual wear like T-shirts may be avoided.

  You can perform the same Taal across all rounds. There is no special consideration, marks for different Taal for various rounds.

Facebook Live Guidelines

The Second Round will be held via Facebook Live, on Suranjan's channel, on 4th - 6th August 2023.

Suranjan volunteers will be in touch with you to explain the entire process of Facebook Live to be followed for the final round.

• The preferred way to have Facebook live session for the finals is to use a Laptop with broadband connection. Else, you can use mobile phone connected to a broadband internet connection. If you do not have broadband wifi, then at least use 4G Mobile connection.

• Good connectivity for Facebook live is essential for an effective performance.

• When you go live using Wifi connection, ensure that you put your mobile phone on Airplane mode.

• If you are using mobile phone's internet, at least put the phone in Do No Disturb mode so that you don't get phone calls when you are live.

• Suranjan volunteers will perform a trial run of Facebook Live with you using our Trial Facebook Page.

• We will share credentials of Facebook Account which you should use for the Go live purposes.

• While going live using a Mobile phone camera, be careful about Horizontal vs Vertical orientation. Facebook App on some phones does not support horizontal video. In such cases, if you hold the phone horizontal, the video will look tilted by 90 degree on Facebook. You must avoid this. Check this out during trials.

• While going live, ensure that background arrangement should be proper, be seated on a carpet or "satranji" with some presentable background. Avoid going live while sitting on bed for example.

• Please give a thought to the dress code (you and accompanists) so that it is in line with the art you are performing. Casual wear like T-shirts, Shorts, etc. must be avoided.

• You should ensure appropriate light is available on your face. Avoid situation where light is coming from your back. That results into the face not being visible during the live session.

• Have a proper balance of Tanpura, Nagma (in case of Tabla Solo), Tabla and Vocals. Suranjan volunteers will help you set this up during the trial run. Do not change those settings during the final round performance.

• Before starting your performance, declare your name, group, the Raag/Taal that you are going to perform and names of accompanists if you have any. No further details like City, Guru Name, Gharana etc should be provided.

• When you start your live session, Facebook asks you to provide a title for the video. Use the following convention: (Raag Name/Taal Name) by (First Name) (LastName) - Passion2023. E.g. Raag Yaman by Sachin Shinde - Passion 2023

• When you go live, start immediately. There is no need to check with audience if they can listen to you. Facebook has a lag of 20-30 secs and this results into loss of time. If the trial has happened successfully, you should have no problems.

• When you are done, end the live video immediately. You should "NOT" delete the video after live session ends.

• Please stick to the timeline given. Do not exceed the time given to you as per your group.

• In case there are technical challenges during your performance, Judges may ask you to perform again once the issues are resolved.

• While you are Live, our volunteers should be in a position to reach out to your friends/family in the room during the performance in case we have any feedback. Please share their contact info with volunteers. This number should be different than the phone on which you will go live.

Going Live with Facebook

Here is a quick video tutorial on how to go live using Facebook app on your mobile phone. .

Judgement and Evaluation

Passion 2023 will be judged by a panel of eminent judges.

• The decision of the judges will be final and will not be subject to change once declared.

• The participants will be evaluated on a predefined list of criteria, including Sur, Taal, Voice Quality and many others as decided by Suranjan's judges.

Guidelines for Final Round

Here are important guidelines and useful information for the Final Round of Passion 2023.

Guidelines for Tabla Round Finals

• All the participants in Group 2 are requested to complete their registration for the final event at 8:30 am
• All the participants in Group 3 are requested to complete their registration for the final event at 10:00 am
• The solo performances will start with Group 2 first and then followed by Group 3 participants
• Participants are requested to be comfortable in their places before their performances by setting their instruments.
• Group 2 and 3 participants have to follow their guidelines for performances as mentioned in the guidelines.
• The participants are requested to adhere to the time slots.
• Participants will need to make their own arrangement for breakfast and meals
• Suranjan will not be able to make any arrangements for outstation participants however our volunteers will be able to guide you on the same.
• Suranjan will also not reimburse for traveling expenses as well as stay arrangements as mentioned in the guidelines
• The volunteers will guide you to set your instruments in a separate room which will be available in the hall
• Surajan will be making arrangement for Lehra accompaniment
• Participants are allowed to bring their own lehra accompanist
• In case participants are bringing their own Lehra accompanist we will provide harmonium (in case required)
• We will also make provision for tabla
• Prizes will be distributed 30-40 min post commencement of all the performances
• All the participants will have to ensure that they are present for the same
• Post prize distribution the participants can avail lunch in nearby food joints
• This ceremony will start @ 1:30 pm and both Group 2 and Group 3 awards will be declared during this session

Guidelines for Vocal Round Finals

• All the participants in Group 1 are requested to complete their registration for the final event latest by 8:30 am
• All the participants in Group 2 are requested to complete their registration for the final event latest by 10:00 am
• All the participants in Group 3 are requested to complete their registration for the final event at 1:00 pm
• The solo performances will start with Group 1 first and then followed by Group 2 & 3 participants
• Group 1 participants should ensure that they are ready at the venue by 9 am on the day of competition
• Group 2 participants should ensure that they are ready at the venue by 11 am on the day of competition
• Group 1 participants should ensure that they are ready at the venue by 2 pm on the day of competition
• Participants are requested to be comfortable in their places before their performances by setting their instruments.
• Group 1, 2 and 3 participants have to follow their guidelines for performances as mentioned in the guidelines.
• The participants are requested to adhere to the time slots.
• Participants will need to make their own arrangement for breakfast and meals
• Suranjan will not be able to make any arrangements for outstation participants however our volunteers will be able to guide you on the same.
• Suranjan will also not reimburse for traveling expenses as well as stay arrangements as mentioned in the guidelines
• The volunteers will guide you to set your instruments in a separate room which will be available in the hall
• Participants are required to ensure that the instruments are set during the time allotted for the same to ensure timelines are met.
• For Group 1, Both Tabla and Harmonium accompaniment will be organized by Suranjan
• In case the participants wants to organize for the accompanists, he/ she can do so by informing Suranjan volunteers. We will make arrangements for tabla and harmonium in case required.
• For Group 2 and 3, Suranjan will be providing Tabla accompanist
• Harmonium accompaniment is not allowed for Group 2 and 3 as mentioned in the guidelines
• In case the participants wants to organize for their Tabla accompanist, he/ she can do so by informing Suranjan volunteers
• Tanpura will be made available in case participants want to use that during their performance.
• Participants will have to make sure they are playing on their own.
• Prizes will be distributed 30-40 min post commencement of all the (Group 1,2 and 3) performances i.e. during evening
• All the participants will have to ensure that they are present for the same
• The prize distribution ceremany will start @ 5:30 pm and Group 1, 2 and Group 3 post completion of assessment by panel judges.
• All participants will receive participation certificate
• The program will start @ 9 am and is expected to finish by 6 pm

Technical Requirements

To ensure the smooth execution of the competition, certain technical requirements are key. Hence, a list of technical prerequisites required from the students.

• A good Internet connection.

• Go Live can happen from mobile phone or Laptop.

• You can use a proper sound system for your performance.

Contact Us

Here are the phone numbers on which you can reach out to us with regards to any query.

• Suranjan Trust - +91 89289 81074