presents चैत्रधून 2026
“सुरांची ओळख.. इथूनच”

Join the most prestigious Hindustani music competition dedicated exclusively to artists across the US and Canada. Register for your age group by the June 1, 2026 cutoff and elevate your musical journey.

US & Canada Entrants Only

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Five Disciplines Of
Musical Mastery

Hindustani Classical Vocal

The purest form of traditional Indian singing, emphasizing deep raga elaboration, soulful expression, and technical vocal precision.

Semi-Classical Vocal

Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Chaiti, Tappa, Hori, Jhools, Natyageet songs

Marathi Light Vocal

Bhajans, abhang, bhakti geet, bhav geet, Marathi gazal , lokgeet or marathi movie songs

Classical Instrumental

Showcasing technical mastery, intricate melodies, and emotional depth on traditional Indian string and wind instruments.

Classical Tabla

A celebration of complex rhythmic expressions, speed, and percussive brilliance on the traditional twin drums.

Eligibility Rules

Find Your Qualifying
Age Group

All age groups are determined based on the competitor's exact age as of the official cutoff date: May 1, 2026.

5 - 10 years

Pre-Junior Tier

Must have turned 5, but not yet 11 by May 1, 2026.

11 - 14 years

Junior Tier

Must have turned 11, but not yet 15 by May 1, 2026.

15 - 18 years

Youth Tier

Must have turned 15, but not yet 19 by May 1, 2026.

19 - 24 years

Youth-Adult Tier

Must have turned 19, but not yet 25 by May 1, 2026.

Guidelines – Detailed Rules, Categories, and FAQs

Please review all competition guidelines carefully before registering.

1. Basic Format and Rules

  1. The competition is open for all music students and/or practitioners across North America. Any music students and/or practitioners associated with any Maharashtra Mandal across North America are encouraged to participate.

  2. Competition is for solo performances (no groups).

  3. Participants will compete within their age group and given genre.

  4. Performance should be recorded and submitted online by the due date.

  5. We're allowing all the participants and winners from previous year(s) to take part in this year’s competition to enhance the competitiveness of the event.

  6. Participation fee: USD $40 per entry (for each performance).

    1. MMBA Gold members get a FREE entry based on their membership level but they must register.

    2. The participation fee is non-refundable.

  7. A candidate can enter in different genres by paying a separate entry fee of USD $40 for each additional performance.

  8. Winners will be decided on the basis of the Judges ranking

2. Categories

The competition will be held in different categories as per age group and genres. These categories ensure fair competition across age and skill levels.

2.1. Age Groups

The cut-off date for the age grouping is May 1st of the current year. Your age group depends on the

number of years completed as of May 1st of the current year.

  • Age is based on the age completed as of May 1, 2026

  • Participants must be at least 5 and no older than 24 as of that date.

  • Those above 24 are not eligible.

  • MMBA reserves rights to further split or merge these categories based on # of entries

Group Name Age Range Description
Pre-Junior 5-10 years completed Must have turned 5, but not yet 11 by May 1, 2026
Junior 11 – 14 years completed Must have turned 11, but not yet 15 by May 1, 2026
Youth 15 – 18 years completed Must have turned 15, but not yet 19 by May 1, 2026
Youth-Adult 19 – 24 years completed Must have turned 19, but not yet 25 by May 1, 2026

2.2. Genres

  1. Hindustani Classical Vocal: Presentation of a Hindustani classical राग in the form of a छोटा ख्याल (Bandish with proper words). You may sing तराना after the छोटा ख्याल but just singing तराना is not permitted.

  2. Marathi Light Vocal: Presentation of a Marathi light vocal composition. (Please see FAQs on what is included in this category and what is not)

  3. Semi-Classical (Natya Sangeet) Vocal: We introduced this new category last year as we celebrated the 25th year of Chaitradhun. (Please see FAQs on what is included in this category and what is not)

  4. Tabla: Presentation of a taal from Hindustani classical music.

  5. Hindustani Classical Instrumental: Harmonium, Sitar, Flute, or any other instrument that is typically used in Hindustani Classical Music.

3. Accompaniment Rules

  • All participants are expected to make their own accompaniment arrangements.

  • Keep the accompaniments to minimal. The focus will be on the primary performer and not on accompaniments

  • Gurus cannot be the accompaniment artist for the participant.

3.1. Accompaniment For Vocals

  • A minimum of Tanpura (electronic or real) AND Tabla (electronic or real) must be used for a performance.

  • Other allowed accompaniment is: Harmonium and टाळ for Bhajan

  • Use of electronic keyboards/Piano is not allowed.

  • Avoid any additional accompaniment such as Violin, Sarangi, Cymbals etc.

  • Karaoke is not allowed

3.2. Accompaniment For Instrumental solo

  • A minimum of a 'Tanpura' AND 'Lehra/Nagma' (played by a person on any instrument OR electronic) must be used.

4. Time limits

  • Participants have to perform their items in the stipulated time limit as indicated below.

  • Performing beyond the time limit will adversely affect the score.

  • A performance with significantly less duration than the time limit could also adversely affect the score.

Genre↓ Pre-Junior 5-10 years completed Junior 11 – 14 years completed Youth 15 – 18 years completed Youth-Adult 19 – 24 years completed
Hindustani Classical Vocal 5-6 mins 6-8 mins 7-9 mins 8-10 mins
Hindustani Classical Instrumental 5-6 mins 6-8 mins 7-9 mins 8-10 mins
Hindustani Classical Tabla 5-6 mins 6-8 mins 7-9 mins 8-10 mins
Semi-Classical Vocal *New 3-5 mins 4-7 mins 5-8 mins 5-8 mins
Marathi Light Vocal 3-5 mins 4-7 mins 5-8 mins 5-8 mins

5. Performance Submission

  1. All performance videos must be submitted by the due date. Late submissions will not be accepted.

  2. The entire video presentation should be done in one seating vs recording multiple small pieces and then stitching them together.

  3. The video and audio should be in the original form. Any edited, post-processed audio/video will be disqualified.

  4. Microphones, mixers, speakers are not allowed. (However, it is okay to connect a tanpura/tabla instrument to a Bluetooth speaker so the performer can hear it well.)

  5. The entire video presentation should be in one single stable frame i.e. no zoom in or zoom out. Please sit on a stable floor/platform while performing (avoid sofa, bed, or standing)

  6. While recording, please make sure the video covers the full view of the performer as well as instruments used, other accompaniments, notes, etc are fully visible. In short, it should be as good as a stage view that judges may want to see from the first-row center chair. Videos that do not cover these details will be disqualified.

  7. At the beginning of the video mention only your name, and what you will be performing. Do not mention the name of your guru, nor should you introduce accompaniment. Competition is solely about your performance so keep the presentation limited to yourself

  8. The video should be in high definition with good audio quality. Limit the video size to 500MB-700MB. Use 1080p or 720p resolution (No 4K) to get the best quality at the same time limit the file size.

  9. Name your video files as `<Genre>-<Age Group>-<Participant Name>.<mp4/mov/avi/common video formats> Example: “Hindustani Classical Vocal-Adult-Anmol Dhumalekar.mp4”

  10. Once submitted, the performance can not be resubmitted or changed.

  11. Do not wait until the last day to record your performance. It may take multiple attempts to get the recording to your satisfaction. So, start recording your performances well before the due date.

  12. Do not wait until the last day to upload your performance. As it is common with online systems, there is a possibility that you may face technical difficulties during upload, especially on the last day. So, upload your performance as soon as you get your recording to your satisfaction.

  13. The aim of this competition is to promote the learning and practice of music, hence only new content will be accepted. Previously recorded videos in any other settings, concerts, performances etc. are not accepted.

  14. Entries that do not follow these rules are subject to disqualification.

6. Basic Judging Criterion

A panel of judges will judge the performances to select the winners. The following key (but not limited to)

criterion is generally used by the judges for scoring the entries.

6.1. ALL Categories

  • Presentation: You must be seated on the ground for your performance. Performance recording by seating on the bed, sofa or chair is not allowed. Your presentation will be disqualified immediately if you are not seated on the ground. Appropriate dress, stage presence, audience connection, connection with accompanists, confidence.

  • Time limit adherence

  • Content: Adherence to राग and राग phrases, Bandish presentation.

  • Fluency: Fluency of singing/playing

  • Emotion: Emotive content

  • Repertoire: Use of various rendering styles such as वस्तार, बढत, आलाप, तान, use of आकार, सरगम, लयकारी (आलाप, जोड, झाला, घसीट, etc. for instruments)

  • The degree of difficulty: Raag, Taal

6.2. Classical Vocal / Classical Instrumental/Marathi Light/ Semi-Classical

  • Soor: Correctness of soor, Tuning of instruments

  • Taal: Adherence to rhythm, laya

  • Voice: tonal quality and voice range (for vocal)

6.3. Tabla

  • The correctness of Tabla tuning to तानपुरा and लहेरा

  • Nikaas: Clarity of बोल

  • Laya: Consistency of chosen laya in a part

  • Content: Presentation of the basic compositions/कायदा, creativity in variations.

  • Repertoire: Use of various rendering styles such as पेशकर, कायदा variations, padhant, लयकारी, रेल, तुकडा, गत, चक्रधर etc.

    • Fluency: Fluency of playing

    • Emotion: Emotive content

    • The degree of difficulty of chosen ताल (Please recite the ताल in a couple of lines to show your understanding of the ताल)

7. Results and Awards

  • A panel of judges will evaluate all the performances and identify winners.

  • Each genre in every age group will have a winner and a runner-up.

  • Based on the competitiveness and the quality of performances within a genre and the age group, judges may decide to choose additional or even no winners in that category.

  • The judge’s decision will be the final decision and binding on contestants. MMBA is non-reviewable.

  • All winners will be announced on MMBA’s website (https://mmbayarea.org) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mmbayarea)

Celebrating 25 Years of Chaitradhun – Special Announcement! Prizes will be awarded in each category and age group, subject to minimum participation.

🏆 Trophy and recognition for top winners in each category.

📜 Digital certificates for all participants (sent via email)

💰 Cash prizes or Gift vouchers

  • 1st Place – $150

  • 2nd Place – $100

  • 3rd Place – $50

Important Note: A minimum of 6 participants is required in a category/age group for full set of prizes to be awarded.

8. Important Disclaimers

  • MMBA may combine/split or rearrange the age groups/ categories if needed, based on the entries received.

  • MMBA reserves the right to make any changes to the rules prior to the competition if circumstances demand so.

  • The participation fee is non-refundable. Refunds are not allowed in case of cancellation or submission disqualification.

  • The aim of this competition is to promote the learning and practice of music. So let us all stay true to its spirit, stick to the ethics of our soulful music and the teachings of respectable gurus. We encourage everyone to submit genuine entries without exploring or exploiting any loopholes in the competition format and/or rules.

  • MMBA reserves the right to disqualify any submissions that do not follow the rules or are not in line with the spirit of the competition.

  • Disqualified participants forfeit the registration fee.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

9.1. Rules & Guidelines Related FAQ

Q - Do we sing in Marathi or in Hindi?

A - For classical, the presentation has to be in HINDI. For the Marathi Light vocal category, the presentation must be in Marathi. For the semi-classical, the presentation can be either in Marathi or Hindi, depending on the type of the presentation

Q - What can be included in the Marathi light music category?

A - Bhajan, abhang, bhakti geet, bhav geet, Marathi gazal , lokgeet, Marathi movie songs can be used in Marathi Light Vocal category.

Q - What can be included in the Is Semi-Classical music category?

A - Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Chaiti, Tappa, Hori, Jhools, Natyageet songs can be used in the Semi-Classical music category.

Q - Can we use the track for the performance?

A - Karaoke tracks are not allowed. Tanpura, Tabla are a must. Additionally, a harmonium is okay. Piano is not allowed.

Q - Can I sing all verses of a song even if it goes beyond the given time or do I need to cut down to a few verses?

A - Please stick to the suggested time limits. 15-20 seconds +/- are okay.

Q - Can we combine two songs and perform as a medley?

A - You can choose your songs and may combine them for the classical category (Bandish + Tarana). You are not allowed to do that for other categories. Please make sure you adhere to the time limits.

Q - Is it allowed to do raag vistar for some time initially before starting with the song?

A - Yes, you can (you must) do raag vistar

9.2. Registration Related FAQ

Q - I submitted an entry through the google form and also made payment. But did not receive any confirmation email from MMBA. Is my registration confirmed?

A - The email you receive from Google Form after submitting the form and PayPal payment receipt is your confirmation of submission. If they are not complete, MMBA will reach out to you. Generally, MMBA follows up with all participants periodically. If you do not receive

any follow-up email even after a few days past the registration deadline, you can reach out to MMBA with your queries.

Q - How do I pay?

A - Please send your payments through PayPal to [email protected]

Q - If I or my family members are participating in more than one genre, should I make one payment for each submission or just pay once for all?

A - For easy tracking purposes, it is recommended that you make one payment per submission and use its transaction id during submission.

Q - I don't have a PayPal account. How can I pay the registration fee?

A - Please check PayPal options. It allows paying by credit card and without having a PayPal account

Q - Currently, I am not actively learning from any Guru. What should I specify in “Name of Guru” during registration?

A - You can say “No Guru Currently”

9.3. Performance Submission Related FAQ

Q - Is it okay if I record my video on my smartphone? I don’t have a good quality video recorder with me at home.

A - Yes, you can use your phone for recording. Refer to rules for more details on the recording. It should be pristine and its original form, unprocessed or should not be enhanced in any way.

Q - Does the phone have to be a vertical frame or Horizontal?

A - Use horizontal frames as that gives a better view.

Q - Is it okay to do self saath on harmonium/other instruments?

A - You can choose to do self saath if you decide. But please make sure that you follow the guidelines for saath for the genre you are participating in.

Q - Would it be okay for the accompaniment to be not in sight? For example, Someone else controls the iPad for starting tabla, changing speed, etc.?

A - Yes, someone else can help control the instrument and need not be in full sight of the video.

Q - Can I use only tanpura but no tabla?

A - As part of the evaluation, there is a specific focus on soor alignment and control as well as adherence to taal. Hence, both Tabla AND tanpura are musts.

Q - Is Swarmandal allowed?

A - Yes, you can use Swarmandal along with tanpura + tabla.

Q - Rules say no Microphones, mixers, speakers are not allowed. Without Microphone how will the sound get recorded in the video?

A - As the competition is executed from home, we are unable to provide a consistent setup for everyone as we usually do every year for in-person performances. In order to keep the ground fair and as consistent as possible for everyone, we do not

recommend using mics, mixers, speakers. Given that the recording will be at home, a direct voice without any enhancements should work well. It was worked well in past for all our participants and will work for you as well.

Q - Is it ok to use Bluetooth speakers during the performance?

A - If you want to connect a tanpura/tabla device to external speakers (like Bluetooth devices) so the performer can hear it well, that should be fine, but n o audio enhancements are allowed for the performer.

Q - Do I have to show/hide electronic tanpura/iTablaPro or devices like it in the video?

A - You can keep these devices near you during recording as per your convenience. You do not have to make the screen/controls explicitly visible in the video.

Q - Is the YouTube or google drive video link ok for submission?

A - You will be provided with the details of submission soon after registration is closed.

Q - Does the total time limit also include introduction time?

A - The introduction is not counted towards the total time limit, however, please keep the introduction to 15-20 seconds or less (Name, what are you presenting). The clock will start with the first Sa, however, it is ok if you are +/- 15-20 then the

time limit.

Q - I am having difficulty uploading the video. It is timing out. What should I do?

A - Video files can be large. Just a normal upload of 500MB can sometimes take more than an hour. Let it keep uploading; It may appear to be hung but maybe just uploading the file in the background. Alternatively, you can first upload it to your google drive. And during submission use

the link from google drive.

HOW IT WORKS

Your Journey To
The Showcase

Three straightforward steps to secure your place on North America's premier stage for Hindustani music.

06/01/2026

Online Registration

Initiate your journey by completing our online form. Select your competition category and age group carefully to ensure proper placement.

07/01/2026

Video Submission

Submit a high-quality video performance showcasing your mastery. Our esteemed jury will review your technique and musicality.

08/15/2026

Winners

Winners will be declared via an online Award ceremony. This date may change based on Judges availability

FINAL CALL FOR REGISTRATIONS

Ready To Claim Your
Stage?

Secure your spot before the May 1, 2026 deadline. Join North America's premier Hindustani music showcase.

Open to participants from the US and Canada

Chaitradhun logo with Marathi script and musical instruments

Maharashtra Mandal Bay Area presents

Chaitradhun 2026

देशव्यापी संगीत स्पधा

Contact Support

For assistance in the US and Canada:

Email: [email protected]

© 2026 Chaitradhun. All rights reserved.