Sloka Recital Guidelines

1. This is a solo event for all age groups.

2. There will be ONLY one in-person round of sloka contests.

3. Participants must announce their name, and the title of the sloka (that will be shared after the registration) and then begin to recite. Saying guru vandana as part of the introduction is preferable. Example: “Guru brahma guru vishnu..” sloka or Sri Gurubhyo namaha or OM Namah Shivaya or alike.

4. Participants are required to recite the sloka memorized.

1. Participants may optionally use reference for lyrics. Please note the judges will use memorization as a criteria in the decision making.

5. Time allotted for each participant will be: 

1. Grades 3 - 5 : 3-5 minutes 

2. Grades 6 - 8 : 5-7 minutes .

6. Participants, while chanting, will not be allowed to pause for breaks such as restroom, water, etc.

7. Participants will be judged based on pronunciation, memorization,  voice intonation, fluency, and response to judges’ questions.

8. Participants must exit the stage with appropriate ending either by saying Radhe Radhe or Namaskar, Guru Vandana etc.

9. Judges will ask 1 or 2 questions related to the sloka (author, deity on which the sloka is composed, simple questions about the deity, etc).

10. Judge’s decision in the selection process will be final.

11. The following guidelines are suggestions and will not be used by the judges in the decision making.

1. Participants may sit or stand while reciting. 

2. Participants can either chant or sing the slokas.

3. Participants can recite the slokas in any raga or tune, and with or without a shruti box.