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 Nuance workshop class with some of the best artists/teachers in the field for the following month (worth $40) and a certificate of accomplishment.
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 November’s challenge below:
The Navatman Competition: November Submission
Bharatanatyam Jathis and Korvais in Adi Tala
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Bharatanatyam dancers:
This month’s challenge is on showcasing your best jathis and korvais in adi tala judged by lead judge Sridhar Shanmugam and supporting judge Apoorva Jayaraman. Each winner per age group (a total of 2) will receive a FREE Nuance workshop class to redeem in December. Need inspiration on what to perform? Here are some quick ideas:
Submission information & Dates
Have questions? Email us at gigs@navatman.org
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Meet November's Judges:
Lead Judge: Sridhar Shanmugam
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Sridhar Shanmugam is the co-founder of Navatman, an Indian Classical Arts Organization based in New York City. He is trained in Bharatanatyam from the Kalakshetra school of dance (one of the most prestigious schools of dance from India), in Rangoli painting, modern and post-modern dance, acting, choreography, stage lighting theatre and stage technique. His talent had him touring around the world as the legendary dancer choreographer Chandralekha's primary male artist for many years and afterwards he began working with many of the world's most famous artists such as Pina Bausch, Suzanna Linke, Philip Glass, and countless others. Consequently, he received many awards from many governments bodies including India's, Great Britain's, and Italy's amongst others.
Apart from his performing credentials, Sridhar Shanmugam has taught extensively and conducted workshops at several leading institutions including Columbia University, New York University and the Brooklyn Museum of Arts. He maintains relationships with many of the top arts foundations such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center by serving on their boards and panels. |
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Support Judge: Dr. Apoorva Jayaraman
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Born and raised in Bangalore, Apoorva Jayaraman was initially mentored in dance by Smt Padmini Ravi. She underwent training in abhinaya from Padmabhushan Smt Kalanidhi Narayanan and has since had the privilege of learning from Smt Priyadarsini Govind for the past 17 years. Apoorva also has a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge and a Masters degree in Physics from University of Oxford.
She presently also holds a Junior Fellowship for Outstanding Persons in the Field of Culture by the Ministry of Culture (Government of India) for her proposed research on Embodied Knowledge in the Arts and Science. She has been invited to present talks on various aspects of dance at academic spaces like the Columbia University USA and Bologna University Italy, among others. She was invited to design, conceptualise and convene the first three editions of the Annual Dance Conference by Trinity Arts Festival of India in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She has recently also edited and published a book called “Why do we dance?” with contributions from many young thinkers and artists in the field. Her work has been featured in several leading international magazines and newspapers including the New York Times (USA), Physics World (UK), Pulse Magazine (UK), The Hindu (India), The Indian Express, Sruti Magazine (India), Rajya Sabha TV (Government of India), Aalaap among others. |
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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)