2024 Competition Dates are:

13th & 14th July 2024

Competition Rules

Guidelines & important information to participate in the competition.

1.     This Gurmat sangeet competition is purely based on singing "Gurbani" in Nirdharat Raags from "Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj".

2.    We highly encouraged everyone to sing Shabads using traditional string instruments like Dilruba, Tuas, Rabab and Sarangi to keep our legacy going.

3.    To promote & support singing in raag, SKPMA has designed a syllabus to distribute raags to different age groups as per their difficulty level.

4.    Children from 5 years and adults up to the age of 25 years can take part in this competition in the form of solo singing with tanti saaz, solo singing with harmonium and in form of jathas.

5.    Children can perform an upper age group raag mentioned in syllabus but not visa-versa.

6.    A Jatha must consist of at least 3-6 members. If Tabla vadak is adult or older than singing members, then there must be at least 3 singing members as Tabla vadak won't be considered as part of jatha.

7.    We encourage all to wear Sikh traditional/religious dress if available.

However, no points will be deducted for not wearing traditional dress.

8.    All Jatha members should wear same kind of dress to get full points for dress.

9.    Electronic keyboard is allowed and extra power points with extension wires will be provided.

10. It’s important to check our website for full details before registration.

11.  We would have professional kirtaniayas as our judges who are in this line for over many decades.

12. You will be informed regarding Day & time of performance by an email after the registrations are closed.

13. If you can't find answers to any of your questions on our website, please email or call on the numbers provided.

Marksheet explained:

Click on links below to download files:

  1. Solo Singing

  2. Singing with String instrument

  3. Tabla instrumental

  4. Time limits

  5. Syllabus

The participants shall be marked according to the judgement criteria set out below. Participants will receive zero marks for respective section if they don’t demonstrate any of these criteria during the performance.

1. Introduction (It is excluded from singing time.)

To be given in Punjabi by children over 10 years of age.

  • Which Guru sahib ji’s Shabad is it.

  • Shabad name and Ang number it is on.

  • Name of the raag and what time of the day this raag is sung.

  • Central meaning of Shabad or of Rahao tuk. (Only for 12+ Kids)

2. Nirdharat Raag

This Gurmat sangeet Competition is entirely based on Singing Gurbani only in Raag it is written in “Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji Maharaj” and “Sri Dasam Granth ji”. Any participant chose to not sing in Nirdharit Raag will not receive 15 marks.

3. Taal, Sur, and Taana & Alaap

  • Melody and beat

  • Singing skills must be used by all kids above 10 years categories.

4. Expression

  • Facial expressions while singing

  • Singing while concentrating on Shabad

  • No unnecessary smiling or showing worried face while singing.

  • Expression in Jatha Performances will be recorded as participation of all the Jatha members in addition to above 3 points.

5.  Etiquettes and Dress

  • Always Displaying respect to “Guru Sahib ji” and “Gur Sangat”.

  • Religious or traditional dress is not mandatory in solo performances but will be considered great.

  • It’s advisable to wear same uniform in Jatha performances to get full marks.

6.  Ras

  • Singing with love, devotions and sweetness

7.  Oral Singing

  • Singing from memory

  • Not using Amrit Kirtan, Mobile, Tablet or Notes/Notebook.

8.  Shudh Ucharan

  • Singing Shabad just as it is Written in Guru Sahib ji

  • Without mistakes, wrong reading/singing and pronunciation.

9.  Adherence to time limit as below:(Check Time sheet for details on website)

 (Marks will be deducted for going over/below 30 seconds time limit.)

  • Solo singing below 8 years:          3- 5 Minutes

  • Solo singing 8 - 12 years:             4-7 Minutes

  • Solo groups aged 12 and above:    5- 8 Minutes.

  • Jatha below 12 years:                  5-8 Minutes

  • Jatha above 12 years:                  8-12 Minutes

  • Jatha above 25 years:                 8-12 Minutes

  • Tabla and string instrument playing: 3-6 Minutes

10. Tanti saaz/string instrument performance

  • All vocal string participants must follow the syllabus as per their age group.

  • The participants who would only play string instruments can pick the raag of their choice from Guru Sahib ji.

11. Humble advice to Participants

Once you learn the Shabad from your Ustaad/teacher then it all depends on your practice to get best scores. So, practice as much as possible with your family. May Guru sahib ji Bless you.