Carnatic Music Exams

Please Note – Registration for November/December 2024 exams have been closed. You can register for July /August 2025 exams

Veenadhari Institute of Music and Fine Arts is pleased to start Carnatic Music Examinations for all interested students of Carnatic Music. This is a way to show your achievements and find the recognition you have been looking for!! We provide examinations for different Grades. Start at any level and keep progressing!

We would encourage the students to go through the grades and reach out to us on veenadhari.team@gmail.com / +91 80955 01455 or on the Contact Us Form for any queries.

Why take Exams?

This is a good thought that we can reflect on as students of music – 

“Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong!”

 

Some of the important benefits of attending music examinations are:

  • It provides a checkpoint on how we have progressed.

  • A report which shows your strengths and also identifies improvement ideas.

  • To set goals for students to achieve.

  • Learn and improve oneself.
  • Provides a good opportunity to plan and prepare for the Music board exams. 
  • Helps in creating the focus in students and assists in achieving their goals.
  • To gain valuable performance experiences.
  • To provide an assessment of the student’s progress.
  • To get and understand constructive feedback.
  • To recognise achievements.
  • Look for improvement opportunities and next goals to be set for the students.

Note: Veenadhari Institute holds the right to make any changes to the below Rules.

Exams will be conducted in the months of July/August & November or December

General Rules:

  • Our exams are open for all students of music (from any organization/institute).
    • Grade Report will be provided for each student.
    • Exam Certificate will be provided.

    • The Grade Report and Exam Certificate will be sent to the student’s registered email within 3-4 weeks of exam completion.

  • The examinations we conduct are currently open for Carnatic Vocal and Instrumental (String/Wind instruments, Keyboard)
  • There will be no formal teaching as part of this.
  • The candidates should submit the list of what they have been taught from the syllabus
  • The Syllabus for each Grade and the Registration Fees is mentioned in detail in the sections below.
  • Each grade includes the previous Grade/s Syllabus + the syllabus applicable for the specific Grade.
  • To appear for a specific Grade, students should have either :
    • Passed the previous grade/s 
    • Depending on your learning, you can skip the grade/s and register for a specific grade without passing the previous grades. (Please Note – Each grade includes the previous Grade/s Syllabus + the syllabus applicable for the specific Grade)
  • Registering for any particular grade expects the students to be able to be prepared with all the syllabus from that grade plus the previous grades.
  • Process of our exams involves the below steps:
    • Understand the syllabus in each grade and register for the appropriate grade by clicking on the Enrol button available with each Grade.
    • Please note that all examinations will be conducted online.
    • We will provide you exam date-related details by the 2nd / 3rd week of October.
    • Prepare for the exams 
    • The Actual Examination!!
  • The content of the exam must remain confidential and must not be photographed or reproduced in any way.
  • The room candidates take the exam in should be free from notes, books of any kind, any depiction of musical notes.
  • As the exams will be conducted online, students are required to have a laptop / mobile, a good / stable internet connection
  • Students are not allowed to record the practical/theory exams. Also, video/audio recording will not be provided

We will have Oral,Theory and Practical exams.  All the examinations will be conducted on Zoom with an invigilator/examiner also logged in for assessing the students.

  • Theory Exam – On the scheduled date for this exam, the student is expected to answer a theory paper with questions allocated to different markings.
  • (Note – There is no theory examination for students aged 7 years and below. For students aged 8 to 10 years, theory questions will be asked orally.)
  • Practical Exam – Followed by the Oral/Theory exam, we will have a Practical Exam which may/may not be on the same date as that of the Oral/Theory Examination. Questions from Oral/Theory syllabus can be asked during the practical exam also. Request all the students to be prepared for the same. 
     Practicals – Examiner might stop anytime in between (this is up to the discretion of the examiner)
                     – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle
                     – For any particular Grade – 1 will be student’s choice and 1 or more – examiner’s choice. 
  • Fun and Learn Games might be included with this.
  • After the examinations, there will be a Grade Report and the Examination Certificate emailed to the students. This might take 1 to 2 months after the examination
    • Scores will be provided for each category of Oral/Theory and Practical exams. 
    • Average Score is taken across all the categories and is read as below: 
      • 90 – 100% – Green Band
      • 80 – 89% – Blue Band
      • 70 – 79% – Purple Band
      • 60 – 69% – Yellow Band
      • 50 – 59% – Orange Band
      • 40% – 49% – Pink Band
      • Special: Ranks will be allocated to students based on their scores and this will be on an annual basis(considering all students appearing for the particular year).
    • There is a retest available if you miss to attend your exam on the scheduled date or if you have scored <40%.
  • Plan and Prepare for your next Grade 🙂
  • Skip Grade : 
    • This is applicable for Students who intend to skip previous Grade/s depending on their current learning. They will be required to be prepared with the Syllabus from the previous Grade/s which they intend to skip.
    • Once you have registered, we will be sending you a confirmation email.

       

    • Note:
  • The expectation is that the students verify the syllabus from the various below applicable Grades and apply for them considering their current learning.

Grades 1 – 5 – Details of Practicals, Theory & Aural Exams

GradePracticalsTheoryAural
Grade 1 (11 years & above)YesYes (written exam)No
Grades 2 to 5 (11 years & above)YesYes (written exam)Yes (written exam)
All Grades (8 to 10 yrs)YesYes (only oral exam)No
All Grades (7 yrs & below)YesNoNo

The below table shows marks for each section. Please look for the sections applicable for your Grade and age

The passing percentage is 40%

ExamsMarksDuration
Practicals70 Marks20 to 40 mins (depending on the grade)
Theory30 Marks30 minutes
Aural25 Marks (Grades 2 to 4)15 minutes
Aural35 Marks (Grade 5)20 minutes
Oral10 Marks (Grades 1 to 5)5 to 10 mins

Carnatic Music Exam Fee Structure

Early Bird offer closes – 31st of January 2025

GradeFees (For students in India)Fees (For students outside of India)
Pre GradeRs 350USD 15
1Rs 600USD 25
2Rs 700USD 35
3Rs 800USD 45
4Rs 900USD 55
5 ARs 1000USD 65
5 BRs 1000USD 75
6Rs 1100USD 85
7Rs 1200USD 95
8Rs 1300USD 105
9Rs 1400USD 115
10Rs 1500USD 125

Regular Fees – from the 1st of February 2024 – Rs.150 / $10 extra respectively

Grade + Skip Grade Fee:

Skip Grade : 

  • This is applicable for Students who intend to skip previous Grade/s depending on their current learning. They will be required to be prepared with the Syllabus from the previous Grade/s which they intend to skip.
  • Once you have registered, we will be sending you a confirmation email.

Early Bird Offer closes – 31st of January 2025

GradeFees (For students in India)Fees (For students outside of India)
2Rs 1000USD 50
3Rs 1200USD 75
4Rs 1600USD 95
5 ARs 2000USD 120
5 BRs 2500USD 130
6Rs 2800USD 140
7Rs 3200USD 170
8Rs 3500USD 200
9Rs 4000USD 250
10Rs 4400USD 280

Regular Fees – from the 1st of February 2024 – Rs.150 / $10 extra respectively

Registering for any particular grade expects the students to be able to be prepared with all the syllabus from that grade plus the previous grades.

Pre Grade Syllabus:

Oral/Theory

  • Sapta Swaras

  • Taala – Aditala – Able to recognise and denote the Lagu and Dhrutha – Aarohana & Avarohana – Aksharas in 1 avarta

Practical

The below in 1st Speed

  • Sarale varase(Sarali) – 7
  • Jante varase(Jantai) – 5
  • 1st speed – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle

Living in India

Enroll - Pre Grade

Living outside of India

Enroll - Pre Grade

Grade 1 Syllabus:

Oral/Theory

  • Greatness of Music

  • Sapta Swaras & 12 Swara Sthaanas

  • Taalas – Aditala and all the Sapta Alankaras Taalas, jaathis, taalangas etc

  • Able to recognise and denote the Lagu and Dhrutha & aksharas of the various learnt Taalas

  • Identify and demonstrate Hechusthayi, Madhyasthayi and Taggusthayi. Aarohana and Avarohana. 

Practical

The below in 1st & 2nd speeds 

  • Sarale varase(Sarali) – 7
  • Jante varase(Jantai) – 5
  • Datuvarase(Datu) – 4
  • Hechusthai(Melsthayi) varase – 4
  • Taggusthayi varase – 4
  • Sapta Alankarams – 7
  • 1st speed – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle

Living in India

Enroll - Grade 1

Living outside of India

Enroll - Grade 1

Grade 2 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus):

Registering for any particular grade expects the students to be able to be prepared with all the syllabus from that grade plus the previous grades.

Oral/Theory

  • Similarities in Carnatic and Hindustani Musical Styles
  • Differences in Carnatic and Hindustani Music Systems
  • A brief description of Carnatic Music terminology – Sound, Naada Shruthi, swara. Prakruthi & Vikruthi swaras, Laya etc 
  • Understand the concept of Shruthi and be able to answer related questions. Aadhara Shruthi identification.
  • Introduction to Janaka & Janya Raaga

Aural

  • Be able to answer questions related to Taala – Name of the Taala,
    Jaathi, Taalangas, Symbol of Taalangas, Aksharakaala
  • Guess the Raaga(included in the practical syllabus) when the
    aarohanam & avarohanam of Raga is sung – Name of the Raaga,
    Swarasthaanas(aarohana & avarohana), vikruthi swaras, varjya swaras,
    janaka or janyaraaga
  • Write a geethe with notation(student’s choice)

Practical

Geethe in raagas other than the ones mentioned below are also accepted
  • Geethe – 8
    • Malahari – 4
    • Kalyani
    • Mohana
    • AnandaBhairavi
    • Kamboji
PS – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle

Living in India

Enroll Grade 2
Skip Grade 1 - Enroll Grade 2

Living outside of India

Enroll Grade 2
Skip Grade 1 - Enroll Grade 2

Grade 3 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus):

Registering for any particular grade expects the students to be able to be prepared with all the syllabus from that grade plus the previous grades.

Oral/Theory

 

  • Able to write/tell the Arohanam and Avarohanam of the Raagas you have learnt.

  • Classification of Raagas – Janaka Raaga, Janya Raaga, Bhashanga Raaga, Vakra Raaga, Upaanga Raaga.

  • Understanding of 1st, 2nd and 3rd speeds – Aavartha and Aksharakaala

  • Characteristics of Music Structures – Practice Structure
    (Swaravalli, Sarlevarse, Jantivarase, Datuvarase, Alankara,
    Geete-Sancharigeete, Jatiswara.

Aural

  • Be able to answer questions related to Taala – Name of the Taala,
    Jaathi, Taalangas, Symbol of Taalangas, Aksharakaala
  • Guess the Raaga(included in the practical syllabus) when the
    aarohanam & avarohanam of Raga is sung – Name of the Raaga,
    Swarasthaanas(aarohana & avarohana), vikruthi swaras, varjya swaras,
    janaka or janyaraaga
  • Write a Swarajathi / Jathiswara with notation(student’s choice)

Practical

  • Ability to perform svaravalis in 3 Speeds
  • Swarajathi – Any 4
    • Hamsadhwani
    • Mohana
    • Kalyani
    • Bilahari
    • Harikambhoji
    • Kamach
    • Any other Raagas also accepted
PS – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle

Living in India

Enroll Grade 3
Skip Grades 1 & 2 - Enroll Grade 3

Living outside of India

Enroll Grade 3
Skip Grades 1 & 2 - Enroll Grade 3

Grade 4 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus) :

Registering for any particular grade expects the students to be able to be prepared with all the syllabus from that grade plus the previous grades.

Oral/Theory

  • Able to provide Raaga examples (with Aarohanam & Avarohanam)
    for these: Audava Sampoorna, Audava Shadava, Audava Audava,
    Shadava Shadava Raaga, Sampoorna Raaga
  • Biographies of Vaggeyakara (Composers) :
    Sri Thyagaraja, Sri Purandaradasa, Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar,
    Sri Shyama Shastri, Sri Kanakadasa
  • Classification of Musical Instruments –
    Thatha Vaadya (Chordophone – String), Sushira Vaadya
    (Aerophone – Wind)

Aural

  • Be able to answer questions related to Taala – Name of the Taala,
    Jaathi, Taalangas, Symbol of Taalangas, Aksharakaala
  • Guess the Raaga(included in the practical syllabus) when the
    aarohanam & avarohanam of Raga is sung – Name of the Raaga,
    Swarasthaanas(aarohana & avarohana), vikruthi swaras, varjya swaras,
    janaka or janyaraaga.
  • Write a Swarajathi / Jathiswara with notation(student’s choice)

Practical

  • Varna – Taana Varna (Aadi Taala Varna )  – Any 4
    • Shankarabharanam
    • Mohana
    • Hamsadhwani
    • Abhogi
    • Kalyani
    • Vasanta
    • Sri Raa ga
    • Pantuvarali
  • Lakshana Geethe (2) – Any Raaga
  • Devotional song – 2
PS – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle

Living in India

Enroll Grade 4
Skip Grades 1, 2 & 3 - Enroll Grade 4

Living outside of India

Enroll Grade 4
Skip Grades 1 2 & 3 - Enroll Grade 4

Grade 5 A Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus):

Registering for any particular grade expects the students to be able to be prepared with all the syllabus from that grade plus the previous grades.

Oral/Theory

  • Brief description of Graha – Samagraha , Vishamagraha , Anagathagraha, Atheethagraha.

  • Understanding of Deshaadi and Madhyaadi Taalas.

  • Biographies of Vaggeyakara (Composers) : Sri Annamacharya, Sri Basavanna, Poet Akkamahadevi, Sri Muthaiah Bhagavatar, Sri Papanasam Sivan, Sri Swathi Tirunal

  • Raaga Lakshana – Write the Arohanam and Avarohanam of any of the Raagas learnt up till now & the characteristics

Aural

  • Be able to answer questions related to Taala – Name of the Taala,
    Jaathi, Taalangas, Symbol of Taalangas, Aksharakaala
  • Guess the Raaga(included in the practical syllabus) when the
    aarohanam & avarohanam or Raaga Aalapana of the Raga is sung
    – Name of the Raaga,Swarasthaanas(aarohana & avarohana), vikruthi swaras, varjya swaras, janaka or janyaraaga, 1st line of a kriti in that particular raaga.
  • Write a Kriti with notation(student’s choice)
  • Recognition of composer when a Kriti with ankita is sung.

Practical – 5A

  • 5 Madhyama Kaala kritis 
  • Devaranaama – 4
  • Vachana – 2
PS – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle

Living in India

Enroll Grade 5 A
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3 & 4 - Enroll Grade 5 A

Living outside of India

Enroll Grade 5A
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3 & 4 - Enroll Grade 5A

Grade 5 B Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus):

Registering for any particular grade expects the students to be able to be prepared with all the syllabus from that grade plus the previous grades.

Oral/Theory

 

  • Brief Description & Assembly Structure – Tana Varna, Kriti, Vachana,
    Devotional Songs

  • Brief description of Vaadi, Vivadi, Samvaadi, Anuvaadi.

  • Raaga Lakshana – Write the Arohanam and Avarohanam of any of the Raagas learnt up till now & the characteristics

  • Classification of Musical Instruments – Avanaddha Vaadya (Membranophone – Percussion), Ghanaloha Vaadya (Idiophone – Metal)

Aural

  • Be able to answer questions related to Taala – Name of the Taala,
    Jaathi, Taalangas, Symbol of Taalangas, Aksharakaala
  • Guess the Raaga(included in the practical syllabus) when the aarohanam & avarohanam or Raaga Aalapana of the Raga is sung
    – Name of the Raaga,Swarasthaanas(aarohana & avarohana), vikruthi swaras, varjya swaras, janaka or janyaraaga, 1st line of a kriti in that particular raaga.
  • Write a Kriti with notation(student’s choice)
  • Recognition of composer when a Kriti with ankita is sung.

Practical – 5B

  • 5 new Madhyama Kaala kritis – One Chapu Taala (mandatory)
  • 5 Vilamba Kaala Kritis 
PS – Students might be asked to sing/play from the beginning or anywhere from the middle

Living in India

Enroll Grade 5 B
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A - Enroll Grade 5 B

Living outside of India

Enroll Grade 5B
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5A - Enroll Grade 5B

Grade 6 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus): 

Oral/Theory

  • Understand that there are 72 Melakartha Raagas and are based on Shuddha Madhyama and Prathi Madhyama.
     Learn the first 6 Chakras

  • Able to write musical notations (for Krithis learnt up till now – denoting the different speeds).

  • Importance of Music

  • Structure of 35 Taalas.

  • Understanding of: Naada, Poorvanga, Uttaraanga, Sangathi, Vaadi, Vivaldi, Samvaadi, Anuvaadi, Amshaswara, Nyaasaswara, Jeevaswara

  • Symbolic representation of lagu, Dhruta, Anudhruta, Guru, Plutha and Kaakapada.

  • Chaapu Taalas and its varieties – Thishrachaapu, Mishrachaapu, Khandachaapu, Sankeernachaapu

Practical

  • Varna – Taana Varna (Aadi Taala Varna )  – Any 4 (2 Speeds )
    • Shankarabharanam
    • Mohana
    • Hamsadhwani
    • Abhogi
    • Kalyani
    • Vasanta
    • Sri Raa ga
    • Pantuvarali
  • 4 new Varna (any 4 from the below Raagas)
    • Shahana
    • Darbar
    • Thodi
    • Kamboji
    • Saveri
    • Begade
  • Alankara – Dhruva, Mathya, Triputa (In all 5 Jaathis)
  • 1 Navaraagamalika Varnam – 2 Speeds 
  • 2 Navavarana Kriti
  • Able to perform svaravalis in the any sampoorna Raaga other than Mayamalawagowla in 3 speeds

Living in India

Enroll Grade 6
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B - Enroll Grade 6

Living outside of India

Enroll Grade 6
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B - Enroll Grade 6

Grade 7 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus): 

Oral/Theory/ Aural

  • Melakarta Raagas – Next 6 Chakras

  • KaTaPaYaadi soothra.

  • Change Swaras from one Raaga and the student should be able to identify the Raaga with the changed Swaras.

  • Identification of Janaka and Janya Raagas
  • Able to provide Raaga examples for these: Audava Sampoorna, Shadava Sampoorna, Sampoorna Shadava, Sampoorna Audava, Shadava Audava, Audava Shadava, Audava Audava, Shadava Shadava Raaga.
  • Explain in detail about: Janaka Raaga, Janya Raaga, Bhashanga Raaga, Vakra Raaga, Upaanga Raaga

Practical

  • Alankara – Rupaka, Atta, Jhumpe, Eka (In all 5 Jaathis)
  • Varna – 4 Varnas(from Grade 6) – 2 speeds (any 4 from the below Raagas)
    • Shahana
    • Darbar
    • Thodi
    • Begade
    • Kamboji
    • Saveri
  • 2 Atta Taala Varna – 2 speeds
  • Any 6 Madhyamakaala kritis – One Khanda Chapu Taala Kriti mandatory
  • 3 Vilamba Kaala Kritis
  • Manodharma mandatory – Aalapane & Kalpana Swara (in 2 speeds) – for both Madhyama & VilambaKaala Kritis

Living in India

Enroll Grade 7
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B,6 - Enroll Grade 7

Living outside of India

Enroll Grade 7
Skip Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B,6 - Enroll Grade 7

Grade 8 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus):

Oral/Theory

  • Tonal quality of Musical instruments.

  • Importance of Voice culture in Music.

  • Knowledge and understanding of the construction of any 2 instruments under each classification ( Thatha Vaadya Sushira Vaadya, Avanaddha Vaadya, Ghanaloha Vaadya).

  • Knowledge of tuning musical instruments.

  • Good understanding of manodharma: Raagalapana and swarakalpana.

Practical

    • 2 New Atta Taala Varnas – 2 Speeds
    • 7 New Madhyama Kaala kritis(In different Raagas) – Manodharma – aalapane & kalpana swara (required in 2 speeds)
    • One Mishra Chapu Taala  mandatory 
    • New 3 vilamba kala kritis – Manodharma – aalapane & kalpana swara required in 2 speeds
    • Jawali – 2
    • Navagraha Kritis -2
    • Vachana – 4
    • Devotional songs – 4
    • New Madhyama & Vilamba Kaala Kritis in different raagas other than those learnt for Grade 7 to be learnt for Grade 8

Grade 9 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus):

Oral/Theory

 

  • Life history of Music Composers and their contribution to Music: Sri Bhadrachala Ramadas, Sripaadaraaya, Nijaguna shivayogi, Vijayadaasa, Sarpabhooshana Shivayogi, MahaavaidynaathaIyer, Patnam Subramanya Iyer, Mysore Sadaashivarao, Veenai Sheshanna, Veenai Subbanna,Bidaaram Krishnappa, Mysore Vasudevacharya.
  • Sangeetha Lipi

Practical

  • 7 new Madhyama Kaala kritis – Manodharma – aalapane & kalpana swara required in 2 speeds
  • New 4 vilamba kala kritis – Manodharma – aalapane & kalpana swara required in 2 speeds
  • Lakshana Geethe – Any 4 (It is mandatory to learn 1 Lakshana Geethe composed by Sri Paidala Gurumurthy)
  • Thillana – 2
  • Pancharatna Kritis (2 – Aarabhi & Sri Raaga)

Grade 10 Syllabus (Includes previous Grade/s Syllabus):

Raaga, Taana, Pallavi(RTP)

  • Pallavi Tradition 
  • Concert Tradition
  • Deep understanding of Manodharama Sangeetha:
    • Raagaalapana – Short and Sampoorna Aalapanas
    • Thaana
    • Neraval
    • Dsfdsfs
  • Dashavidha and Panchavidha Gamakas.
  • Grahaswara Prabhedas, Moorchanakaaraka Melas, Moorchanakaaraka Janya Raaga
  • Raaga Lakshana of the following 30 Raagas: Sarasaangi,Neelaambari,Shahana,Aanandabhairavi,Devagaandhaari,Ataana,Begade,Vaagadheeshwari,Saama,Kaanada,Kamaaj,Hindusthani Kaapi,Hamir Kalyani,Saaranga,Chandrajyothi,Vijayanaagari,Bhooshaavali,Ranjani,Husseni,Surati,Navaroj,Janaranjani,Dharmavathi,Hemavathi,Manirangu,Kuranji,Jhanjhooti,Naadanaamakriya,Mukhaari,Naatakuranji
  • The system of 22 shruthis in use and as used in “Shadja Panchama” and “Shadja Madhyama”.
  • Good understanding of Amshas and Bhinna Rashis.
  • Analysis of the style of compositions of the different composers – Sri Thyagarajaru, Muthuswamy Dikshithar, Shyama Shastry and the unique features in each of the composers’ compositions. Any other distinct features from composers coming in after the trinity composers.
  • Detailed Understanding of various forms of music – Shaastreeya Sangeetha, Bhakthi Sangeetha, Vachana Sangeetha, Sugama Sangeetha, Nrithya Sangeetha, Jaanapada Sangeetha.

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