Competition Details

What is the Age restriction, Duration and Fees of competition ?

Junior (8-11 years): 5-6 maximum minutes  - Entry Fee - $50
Intermediate (12-15): 7 maximum minutes  - Entry Fee - $75
Advanced (16- 22): 9 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $90
Adults (23 & 39): 9 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $100
Senior Adults (40 & Above): 9 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $100
Group - Junior (8-11 years): 5 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $150
Group - Seniors (12 & Above): 7 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $175

Fees are non-refundable.

Cut-off Age will be decided based on the previous day of the competition.

For example 2019, it will be April 19th, 2019, because the competition is on April 20th, 2019.

What are the Rules?

All judgment rules are linked here. All participants must have full performance costumes if they wish to score 10 points for Aaharya Abhinaya.

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Dances are judged based on rhythm, emotional expressions, geometry, grace, involvement, originality, innovative costumes, and space usage.
Nritta, Abhinaya, and the meaning of the Sahitya will be observed. For more details check the judging page

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Music (in mp3 or Wave file) must be sent one week before the competition date otherwise, you will be disqualified.
We reserve the right to hold, modify, or cancel the competition depending on the situation, enrollment, and availability of resources.

This is strictly an Indian classical dance competition

American Natya Festival is the home of Indian classical dances. Our dance festival has invited over 2000 artists in the past 15 years to present and perform all classical dance forms. Due to a public request last year, we added a National level dance competition this year. We are back to present 2025 - American Natya Idol.

Why is this dance competition important for a young artist?

In the USA or India, most students typically learn from a single teacher and are probably present in a few venues around their city. Unlike a performance, a competition will reflect the quality of dance. These qualities are analyzed and measured based on known parameters of dance - as mentioned on the judging page. Our competition is unique because we request many eminent judges to sit and analyze. In the past, we have taken painstaking steps to invite these artists from different parts of the USA, INDIA, and CANADA. It is our fortune more than 25 great Gurus have accepted to judge in the past.

In 2025, we plan to get a minimum of two senior or experienced dancers/Scholars to judge the regional level. In the final, there will be 4 - 6 judges from India and the USA, depending on the immigration process.

So, if a student performs and gets a review from peers in the field, it will help her/him to perfect the art form better. This is an excellent opportunity for any valid learner to get analyzed by 10 Gurus. It is like going to a Gurukula with 10 Gurus !!!

Who can participate?

Anyone learning Indian classical dances - such as Bharathanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Andhra Natyam, and Mohini Attam can participate. Our dance competition is for all the styles.  We work hard to have judges with knowledge and expertise of the above dance styles.

What classical styles are allowed?

Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, MohiniAttam, Andhranatyam, Manipuri, and Sastriya

Prizes 

Prizes are based on age group, not on individual dance style.

Following are the prizes for the Finals.

Junior solo and group: Recognized with trophies by the leading Gurus of the field. Every participating student will get an Appreciation certificate. Winners will get a Cash prize.

Intermediate Group: Recognizing with certificates and trophies by the leading Gurus of the field. Every participating student will receive an Appreciation certificate. Winners will get a Cash prize.

Advanced, Junior Group, and Senior Groups: Recognizing with certificates and trophies by the leading Gurus of the field. Every participating group will get an Appreciation certificate. Winners will get a Cash prize.

Each participant gets an everlasting - DIGITAL CERTIFICATE when registering an account with Featsclub, which will help future endeavors.