Competition Details

Time limit, Fee, Cut-off age

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

Junior (8-11 years): 5-6 maximum minutes  - Entry Fee - $50 (+ Ticket leap Fee OR 10% Discount on FeatsClub app)
Intermediate (12-15): 7 maximum minutes  - Entry Fee - $75 (+ Ticket leap Fee OR 10% Discount on FeatsClub app)
Advanced (16- 21): 10 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $95 (+ Ticket leap Fee OR 10% Discount on FeatsClub app)
Adults (22 & Above): 10 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $105 (+ Ticket leap Fee OR 10% Discount on FeatsClub app)
Group - Junior (8-11 years): 5 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $120 (+ Ticket leap Fee OR 10% Discount on FeatsClub app)
Group - Seniors (12 & Above): 7 minutes maximum - Entry Fee - $150 (+ Ticket leap Fee OR 10% Discount on FeatsClub app)

Fees are non-refundable. Registration can be done on Ticketleape to a higher proportion if more people come and less if its is otherwise.

 

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

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

HOW TO REGISTER ?

Please visit each city and select the right category

Atlanta  /  Chicago   /  Washington DC  /  Dallas   / Seattle / Other Cities / Saint Louis 

What are the Rules ?

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

Dances are judged, based on rhythm, emotional expressions, geometry, grace, involvement, originality, innovation costumes and space usage.
Nritta, Abhinaya and meaning of the sahitya will be observed. More details check in judging page

Music (in mp3 or Wave file) must be sent before 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.

More Details....

This is strictly an Indian classical dance competition

American Natya Festival is the home of Indian classical dances. Our dance festival has invited more than 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 2024 - American Natya Idol.

Why is this dance competition important for a young artist ?

In USA, or in India, most students normally learns from a single teacher and probably presents 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 in the judging page. Our competition is special, because, we are requesting many eminent judges to sit and analyze. We have taken painstaking steps to invite these artists from different parts of USA, INDIA and CANADA in the past. It is our fortune more than 25 great Gurus have accepted to judge in the past.

In 2024 we are planning to get 4 great dancers. scholars to judge the students.

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 a great opportunity for any true 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, who have knowledge and expertise of the above dance styles.

Where is it held ?

Regional competitions Competitions are held at the following cities

Atlanta - Saturday, March 9, 2024
Chicago - Sunday, March 17, 2024
Washington DC  - Saturday, March 23, 2024
Dallas - Sunday, March 24, 2024
Seattle - Sunday, March 31, 2024
St. Louis - Friday, April 26, 2024 - 9 AM - 1 PM

Finals will be held on Saturday, April 27th, and Sunday, 28th, at Clayton High School Auditorium, St. Louis.

What classical styles are allowed?

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

Prizes 

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

Following are the prizes for Finals.

Junior solo and group: Recognized with trophies by the leading Gurus of the field. Every participating student will get a Natya Idol T-Shirt and 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 get a Natya Idol T-Shirt and 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 one Natya Idol T-Shirt and an Appreciation certificate for all. Winners will get a Cash prize.

Adyar K Lakshmanan Endowment Award 

We sincerely thank Bharadwaj  family for donating funds to first prize, of Group 3

Special recognition

Top three contestants in Group 3 -  will be awarded with an  opportunity to present 45 minutes of dance presentation in Soorya Performing series. They will be provided local hospitality and an honorarium. We will provide an opportunity to perform in INDIA  in Bengaluru, India in the reputed Indian International Youth Dance Festival , conducted by Shanthala Arts Trust, when they visit India.

NOTE: The prize money is a shared revenue from the funds raised by the enrollments. These funds may change to a higher proportion if more people come and less if its is otherwise.