FAQ

Historically and traditionally, Sanatan Bhakti Sangeet has several forms in different regions across Bharat. However, for the purpose of simplifying this competition, it has been divided into the two universally accepted Indian Classical Music Genres – Hindustani (North Indian – Uttar Bharteeya) Indigenous Sanatani music genres from anywhere in India except Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pudducherri. and Carnatic (South Indian – Dakshin Bharteeya) Indigenous Sanatani music genres from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pudducherri. It is important to note that the language of rendering is irrelevant in this classification and emphasis is given to the style for determining the basic Genre. i.e. if a Bhakti Geet is sung in Hindi but composed in Carnatic style, it will be entered under the Carnatic category. Similarly, if a Bhakti Geet is sung in Tamil, but composed in North Indian Bhajan style, it will be entered under Hindustani Genre. Judges’ decision as to which basic Genre the entry belongs to will be final and binding. The above two (Hindustani and Carnatic) Genres will be judged under three Sub-Genres each : a. Original b. Traditional c. Cover A brief description of the Sub-Genres is as follows : a. Original :  Any song that is the entrant’s own original composition, to which the entrant owns all rights (intellectual, music and performance rights), will be treated as original entry. The song can be released or unreleased. If released under a label, the entrant must be prepared to submit a letter from the Record label permitting the entrant to submit the song as his/her own. b. Traditional :  Any traditional Sanatani devotional song that does not have a known creator and has been passed down the generations as traditional music that is in public domain and whose intellectual, musical or performing rights are not owned by anyone – such as but not limited to Folk devotional songs, Aartis, Stutis, Shlokas, etc. will be considered under Traditional genre. If the submitted Traditional song is a released or unreleased commercial recording, the entrant must hold all rights, or have the permission from their Record label to submit the song as their own. c. Cover :  Any song that is a re-rendering of an already released Original and Traditional song, to which the entrant holds no rights, will be considered a Cover song. i.e. ‘Aisi Laagi Lagan’ by Anup Jalota ji. Thus, combining the two Genres and the three Sub-Genres, the competition will be judged under 6 distinct Categories : 1a. Hindustani (North Indian/Uttar Bharteeya) Original Song 2a. Carnatic (South Indian/Dakshin Bharteeya) Original Song 1b. Hindustani (North Indian//Uttar Bharteeya) Traditional Song 2b. Carnatic (South Indian/Dakshin Bharteeya) Traditional Song 1c. Hindustani (North Indian//Uttar Bharteeya) Cover Song 2c. Carnatic (South Indian/Dakshin Bharteeya) Cover Song