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 to be completed over approximately four years at a typical pace of study.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The Level 4 certification examination is conducted in person at designated examination centers in the United States.
  • The curriculum is cumulative. Compositions, skills, and competencies introduced at earlier levels remain part of the expected repertoire and proficiency at subsequent levels.
  • Lessons and Compositions prepared at earlier levels may be carried forward and presented at subsequent-level examinations, where appropriate.
  • 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 Shastra (theory) syllabus is common to Hindusthani Vocal and Hindusthani instrumental music, including instruments such as Violin, Sitar, Sarod, Vamshi (Bansuri), and Sarangi.

  • For instrumental practical examinations, wherever a vocal form is prescribed in the common syllabus, it shall be presented through the corresponding instrumental form and terminology appropriate to the instrument. Unless otherwise specified in the syllabus, the following equivalences shall apply:

    Bada Khayal → Vilambit Gat
    Chhota Khayal → Drut Gat
    Sugam Sangeet → Dhun

    For instruments and traditions in which established compositional forms such as Masitkhani Gat and Razakhani Gat are applicable, these shall be used as appropriate to the prescribed laya and level.

    Such adaptation is only a change of performance medium and terminology and does not alter the academic or examination standard. The instrumental presentation shall fulfill the corresponding requirements of the prescribed vocal syllabus with respect to rāg structure, compositional and musical development, improvisation, laya, tāl, and the expected level of proficiency.

  • 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.

  • 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) as applicable.

    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.

  • Bhajans: Bhajans may be selected from the Rana Sangeetam book.
  • Detailed curriculum content and instructional materials are available in the respective Sangeeta Bharati textbooks.