SV Temple & GLAC Proudly Present:
Sarovar Swarotsavam - A Fresh Take on Conventional Competitions
Great Lakes Regional Competitions

Sat Mar 28th, 2026
9:00am - 9:00pm
SV Temple, Novi, MI
 

Rules and Regulations

1. A Fresh Take on Conventional Competitions: This initiative is meant to motivate students and encourage participants and get enthused and exposed to classical arts, and challenge people to realize their potential and bring out the best in them.

2. Judges: The judges will play the role of discerning rasikas and will be more of an encouraging mentor rather than a strict jury panel. Participants can perform freely and uninterrupted within the allotted time limit focusing on their talent and showcase it without any questions or interruption from the judges. The focus will purely be on the performance and not on theoretical quizzes. The judges' panel will comprise of senior gurus along with visiting musicians and senior rasikas based on availability. 
    

3. Sub Category / Theme Selection: The event is divided into two categories & two subcategories (Vocal & Instrumental). The inaugural 2026 contest will be krithis only and open to vocals and instruments. Instruments can be violin, veena, chitraveena, mandolin, saxophone, keyboard, flute, mridangam, ghatam, kanjira, nadaswaram, thavil, konnakkol and more. The 2026 theme is #Dikshitar250 (not enforced / no extra credit).
   
   a. Sangeetha Bala Sarovar – Participants up to 12 years of age.
   b. Sangeetha Kumara Sarovar (Junior) – Participants from 13-19 years of age.
   c. Sangeetha Kumara Sarovar (Senior) – Participants from 20-30 years of age.
   d. Sub Categories - Vocal and Instrumental
    

4. Participation: Participation is in person, free and open for all. Participants can perform in only one category. Participants will have to register online. No walk-ins. Participants are encouraged to support classical arts and support the music ecosystem in Michigan. The participant should be dressed in Indian attire as a mark of respect to the arts. The participant should carry his/her own shruthi box/tambura/instrument with proper cables and adaptors. There will be no accompaniments for the participants.  Exceptions in age limit may be considered for special talents. Differently abled participants and talents will be given special consideration. Additional credit and considerations will be given to unique instruments subject to the judges’ discretion. Registrations will be closed at 50 and not guaranteed for late registrants.

5. Tardiness & Disqualification: The judges/organizers have the right to disqualify any participant on the grounds of misbehavior, violation of the rules, misconduct, disrespect to the judges, or not meeting the requirements of the contest. The judges' decision is FINAL in all cases. No disagreements, arguments, disputes, or conversation with the panel will be entertained. If the participants fail to report on time, judges will give the opportunity based on their discretion. Proper online and offline etiquette is expected from the parents and participants.

6. Legal Fine Print: The event could be posted online & televised at the discretion of a TV Channel (TBD). By registering online, the participant, parent, or guru, agrees to have their pictures or videos posted online and will not have any claims about appearance, non-appearance, or duration of appearance whatsoever. By registering to the contest, participants waive the right for any legal disputes or proceedings. All the rules mentioned above shall apply uniformly and any changes to the rules will be communicated.

7. Thank you / Recognition: All Gurus, family and friends are encouraged to attend. All Gurus will be felicitated towards the end of the Sarovar Swarotsavam.

8. Winners from Vocal, Violin & Percussion categories might be given a slot at the SV Temple Brahmotsavam,  Michigan Thyagaraja Aradhana, Navaratri and/or Chembai Festivals (TBC).

Category 1 - 'Sangeetha Bala Sarovar' Category (Age 12 and under)

1. This is an individual category which can have solo, duet/sibling performances.

2. Maximum time limit : 5 minutes.

3. It is up to the participants to showcase their talent with their choice of songs. There will be no questions or interference from the judges. However, judges may assist the participant with pitch and talam if required.

4. Should come prepared with Sa-Pa-Sa sustenance.

5. Instrumentalists can come prepared with “Sa ri ga ma pa da ni sa” rendition in 1 minute.

6. Percussionists will be tested on the ability to play adi thalam or any thalam of their choice. To perform basic exercises and optional thani avarthanam in the finals.

7. Exceptional talent & gifted prodigies will be recognized for visibility.

8. Participants can come prepared with manodharmam, swara gnyanam based on exercises from Janta varisais, alankarams and basic swara exercise patterns and not kalpanaswarams.

Category 2 – 'Sangeetha Kumara Sarovar' Category (Ages 13 going on 30)
 

1. Sangeetha Kumara Sarovar – Junior (13-19 years) & Sangeetha Kumara Sarovar – Senior (20-30 years)

2. This is an individual category which can have solo, duet/sibling performances to present compositions of their choice. Instrumentalists are free to express their best music uninterrupted with in the allotted time limit.

3. Maximum time limit : 8 minutes.

4. Should come prepared with Sa-Pa-Sa sustenance.

5. Instrumentalists can come prepared with “Sa ri ga ma pa da ni sa” rendition in 1 minute.

6. Ability to accompany vocal or any other instrument can be tested.

7. Percussion participants must play thani avarthanam, should have the ability to tell jathi, konakkol and ability to accompany a song. If general, participants will be tested on basic exercises and thani avarthanam.

8. Finalists can come prepared for a mini-kutcheri for 15-20 minutes (time permitting).

9. Exceptional talent & gifted prodigies will be recognized for visibility.

10. One winner from the senior segment could be given an opportunity for a concert at a leading sabha in India in front of a several celebrity musicians, leading gurus, leading sabha secretaries, media and organizers. The participants must be willing to travel to the contest venues across the USA and to India if selected - at their own cost.

Register Here

About: Sarovar Swarotsavam is a fresh and inspiring take on conventional competitions. This maiden initiative is designed to motivate students, encourage participation, and energize the community by showcasing the rich classical arts talent within our midst. More importantly, it challenges participants to recognize their true potential and bring out the very best in themselves.

This is a competition with a difference. Talent takes center stage as participants choose how to present their art within a specified time limit, without interruption from the judges. Envisioned as Michigan’s very own classical arts reality show, Sarovar Swarotsavam goes beyond a traditional contest—it is a platform where dreams are nurtured and excellence is celebrated. Judges serve not merely as members of a jury, but as rasikas and mentors, guiding and inspiring performers. Participants are free to express their finest music, uninterrupted, within the allotted time, making this a truly empowering and transformative experience.