The Navatman Competition
Navatman is excited to introduce our first competition: A series of monthly challenges for young Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Carnatic and Hindustani music students.
The Navatman Competition was not created just to be another dance or music competition. It was developed because we saw a need for aspiring classical students to have a platform for growth and a stage to share their form of expression. It gives our rising artists an opportunity to watch and learn from their peers around the world, while individually working towards something exciting in this isolating time. The best part: each participant gets actual feedback from real artists in the Indian classical arts field.
While we will also highlight exceptional students, ultimately, the Navatman Competition is to nurture all the applicants with opportunities to learn and grow as future performers.
The Navatman Competition was not created just to be another dance or music competition. It was developed because we saw a need for aspiring classical students to have a platform for growth and a stage to share their form of expression. It gives our rising artists an opportunity to watch and learn from their peers around the world, while individually working towards something exciting in this isolating time. The best part: each participant gets actual feedback from real artists in the Indian classical arts field.
While we will also highlight exceptional students, ultimately, the Navatman Competition is to nurture all the applicants with opportunities to learn and grow as future performers.
Tell me more:
We are inviting Indian classical arts students between the ages of 10-18 worldwide to participate in our monthly competitions with the ability to receive individualized feedback from world-class judges, watch and learn from students at their age and level, and with the chance to win a FREE nuance class.
How it works:
- At the start of the month, Navatman will announce our challenge for the month and our judges for the month
- Students will have ~3 weeks to submit an individual video (recorded on laptop or phone) for 1-2 minutes of a dance or song piece via our google form (below)
- Our judges will review each submission, compile their feedback, and select 1 winner in each age group
- By the end of the month, Navatman will broadcast all the submissions and announce the champions of the month. All participants will receive a graded rubric with feedback.
Who is this for:
Students of Indian classical arts around the world who are:
- Passionate about growing through the arts
- Excited to learn from and share their art with a community of like minded peers
- Looking for personalized feedback in their genre of arts
- An opportunity to perform and use their arts for expression.
Who can participate:
Students must be within the ages of 10 - 18.
They are students of Indian classical dance or music with at least 2 years of learning experience.
Current students of the monthly judges are NOT permitted to submit.
The judges will evaluate the performances based on the following age groups:
They are students of Indian classical dance or music with at least 2 years of learning experience.
Current students of the monthly judges are NOT permitted to submit.
The judges will evaluate the performances based on the following age groups:
- Group 1: 10 - 13
- Group 2: 14 -18
What is the judging criteria:
Students are not judged based on gharana or bani, but on execution and stage presence.
The judges rubric will be released in early November.
The judges rubric will be released in early November.
How you will benefit from this competition (Beyond the Prize!):
- Show: Showcase your talent and take a step forward in your classical arts journey
- Know: Receive constructive feedback from professional artists in the field
- Grow: Deepen your experience with the art form by participating and seeing what other peers your age are doing
The Sweetener (Prize):
The ultimate prize will be awarded to 1 student per age group. The student will receive a FREE 5 - 10 minute online live performance opportunity through our Student Sundays series, AND a certificate of accomplishment from Navatman.
Additional superlative prizes will be announced to highlight exceptional students based on the judging criteria (e.g. cleanest lines, strongest footwork, etc.).
All participants, regardless of placement, will receive a rubric with feedback.
Additional superlative prizes will be announced to highlight exceptional students based on the judging criteria (e.g. cleanest lines, strongest footwork, etc.).
All participants, regardless of placement, will receive a rubric with feedback.
Pricing
Early bird submission (10 days before the final deadline): $35
Regular/Extended deadline: $40
INR Pricing for regular deadline: $25 (ONLY for India Students)
Regular/Extended deadline: $40
INR Pricing for regular deadline: $25 (ONLY for India Students)
Ready to start? Check out January's challenge below:
The Navatman Competition: January Submission
Kathak Tukdas in Teentaal
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Kathak dancers:
Kick off the new year with our January competition to showcase your best tukdas in teentaal (Sadhaaran and/or Chakkardar - completely up to you!) Each winner per age group (a total of 2) will receive a free Nuance workshop class to redeem in March 2021 and a certificate from Navatman. Submission information & Dates
Have questions? Email us at gigs@navatman.org
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January Judges: Kathak
Lead Judge: Prashant Shah
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Prashant, a senior disciple of Padma Bhushan Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, is one of the very few critically acclaimed male performer - choreographer residing now in New York. Prashant’s virtuosity in Kathak technique enables him to perform a vast repertoire with masculine grace without any flowery affectations, makes him one of the outstanding male dancer of his genre today. Born and raised in Ahmedabad and now a US citizen, Prashant feels honored to be the first recipient of SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI YUVA PURASKAR [ National award ] established by President of India in the name of ‘Ustaad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’ for Kathak dance.
Prashant’s unique creative and aesthetical approach in his traditional and experimental presentations of Kathak as a soloist and as a choreographer, has earned him a place in the prestigious empaneled list of ‘ESTABLISHED ARTIST’ category in ICCR and also a TOP grade artiste of Indian Television artists panel. Prashant is regularly commissioned by international choreographers to create collaborative works of Kathak with other dance styles like Hip Hop, Belly Dancing, Flamenco, Bharat Natyam, Modern and Contemporary as a dancer & choreographer all over Europe, North America & Asia. As a leading dance member of Kadamb Performing Unit, as a soloist and also as a collaborative choreographer, Prashant has performed extensively all across the globe where his performances are appreciated and acclaimed by both, critics and connoisseurs. To name a new, his presentations are well received with rave reviews in The Hindu, The New York Times, The Statesman, The Guardian, The Independent, San Francisco Chronicle, Dancing Times, The Star Ledger, Voice of Dance and more from respected and eminent dance critics. |
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Supporting Judge: Brittny Chandra
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Brittny Chandra is an internationally recognized Kathak artist, and disciple of Guru Prashant Shah ji. He is a senior disciple of Padma Bhushan recipient, Smt. Kumudini Lakhia. Guru Prashant ji is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Yuva Puraskar (National Award) established by President of India in the name of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for Kathak dance.
Brittny has learned from Kumud Savla ji of Nritya Natya Kala Bharti, through her formative years. She has also learned from some of the all time greats, including Pandit Rajendra Ganagani ji, Pandit Birju Maharaj ji, and Pandita Maneesha Sathe ji through retreats and workshops. Brittny obtained her Visharad Purna (Bachelor’s degree in Performance Arts) with distinction from Bharati Vidyapeeth University (Pune, India). She is also a graduate of Auburn University with Bachelor's in Psychology and Master's in Education, and is a member of the National Association of Schools of Dance. Brittny is a prolific performer. She was recently selected to perform at the one of a kind New York Kathak Festival, which featured some of the best Kathak dancers from around the world, as well as legendary stalwarts including Pandit Birju Maharaj ji and Guru Prashant Shah ji. |
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Helpful tips
Space and managing distractions:
Video Framing:
Filming:
- Put yourself somewhere where there are no other distractions.
- For younger kids: Parents, please try to monitor the video during the performance. If possible, let them perform without other people nearby. Double check that everyone knows there is a concert happening in the house/room.
Video Framing:
- Dance Students: Ensure your ENTIRE body is in the frame. The camera must cover the entire space the student will use for the dance. All movements must be within the frame.
- Music Students: Make sure your entire body is being captured in the frame.
Filming:
- Use a phone or laptop for the video
- Use another device (e.g. laptop if using phone) for playing your audio and ensure it's loud enough to hear but not masking your bells (if dancer)
- Make sure enough lighting (artist should have lighting from the front i.e. to the face rather than at the back)