General Instructions

• • The syllabus outlined below represents the minimum requirements for Pravesha (Junior) Certification.
  • The Pravesha curriculum is organized into four progressive levels and is designed so that an average student may complete it over approximately four years. The four levels represent a typical progression of learning and do not require students to appear for an examination every year or to complete the examinations sequentially.
  • The curriculum is cumulative. Compositions, skills, and competencies introduced at earlier levels remain part of the expected repertoire and proficiency at subsequent levels.
  • Compositions prepared at earlier levels may be carried forward and presented at subsequent-level examinations, where appropriate.
  • Students may appear directly at any level based on their preparedness. Completion of the preceding level examinations is not mandatory.
  • Level 4 is mandatory for Pravesha Certification. Regardless of the level at which a student begins, Level 4 must be successfully completed to receive the Pravesha Certificate.
  • A student appearing directly for Level 4 must demonstrate the cumulative repertoire, skills, and competencies required across Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Students may skip the preceding examinations, but not the curriculum requirements of those levels.
  • The Level 4 certification examination is conducted in person at designated examination centers in the United States.
  • The syllabus is common to Hindusthani Vocal and Hindusthani instrumental music, including instruments such as Violin, Sitar, Sarod, Vamshi (Bansuri), and Sarangi.
  • For instrumental examinations, vocal forms prescribed in the syllabus shall be presented through their appropriate instrumental equivalents, while preserving the corresponding rāg structure, musical form and level of development, improvisational requirements, laya, and tāl.
  • Sangeeta Bharati’s curriculum is Guru- and Sampradāya-agnostic and respects diverse pedagogical traditions within Hindusthani Sangeeta. Students are therefore not restricted to a prescribed list of compositions.
  • Students are free to refer to appropriate learning materials and select compositions of their choice. The overall repertoire should demonstrate a well-balanced selection of rāgs representing different thāṭs, tāls, bhāśhās (languages), composers, and compositional forms, appropriate to the requirements of the respective level.
  • Bhajans: Sample Bhajans may be selected from the Rana Sangeetam book.

  • Students who are not exclusively following the prescribed Sangeeta Bharati texts must submit a detailed list of the compositions prepared for the examination. For each composition, the list should include:

    Composition Title, Rāg, Tāl, Composer, and Bhāśhā (Language).

    The repertoire list must be submitted to the examiner at least one week before the examination as a PDF by email to exams@sangeetabharati.org.

    Students following the prescribed Sangeeta Bharati texts are not required to submit a repertoire list.

  • Detailed curriculum content and instructional material are available in the respective Sangeeta Bharati textbooks.