• The competition will have three rounds including a final third round
• A panel of judges will evaluate the performances to select the winners for each round
• Many criteria will be applied by the panel of judges to evaluate a dance performance including the following key standards:
  • Presentation: stage presence, audience connection, connection with accompanists, confidence
  • Quality and creativity
  • The degree of difficulty
  • Fluency, grace, and flow
  • Synchronization
  • Adherence to time-limits
  • Expressions and emotions
  • Costumes
  • Group coordination – e.g., formation and spacing for group performances
  • Clarity of mudras for classical dance styles
  • Use of stage
  • Selection and clarity of the song/music (audio)

• Other criteria include the type and style of props used, time for moving props onto and from the performance area, etc.
• After the third and final round, three winners will be selected for each dance style
• The judges’ decision will be final in all matters relating to the dance competition

• The competition is open for all dance participants across North America (solo or troupe)
• Participants will compete within their age group (age as of the form submission date) and the selected genre
• The competition will have three rounds of performances:
  • Round One – all contestants who have properly submitted their applications will be allowed to perform, and a select number of performances will move to the next round
  • Round Two – only the selected dancers from Round One will be permitted to perform for further selection
  • Round Three (final round) – only selected dancers from Round Two may perform live in this final selection round
  • Three winners will be announced after the third and final round who may perform live at the Convention
• Performances in Round One and in Round Two should be recorded and submitted online by the due date as provided in the guidelines
• An individual may participate in more than one genre of dance
• The dance presentation including the music (and lyrics if applicable), costume, etc., cannot be risqué
• Winners for each round will be decided based on the ranking given by the panel of judges The three winners selected for performing live at the Convention along with all participants in the performance, will be required to register themselves as attendees and pay the appropriate registration fees

Classical Dance
Any Indian classical dance styles such as Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, etc., must be accompanied by appropriate, authentic Indian classical music. The “dance style” MUST adhere to the classical style chosen. It can be a medley of more than one classical dance item within the chosen classical style, e.g., medley of Pushpanjali and Alarippu in the Bharatanatyam style. The dance item(s) should depict a piece from the classical dance’s particular repertoire. The “costume style” must also appropriately depict the classical dance style.

Folk Dance
In an effort to encourage traditional “Indian-ness” and showcase our rich Maharashtrian heritage only authentic and ethnic Maharashtrian folk styles may be presented in this category. As such, no Bolly-folk style, or other combined dance style will be allowed. The music must also represent the ethnic folk style.  The “dance style” MUST include Maharashtrian traditional folk style elements. It can be a medley of more than one Maharashtrian folk style – with the dancers wearing the respective costume style.  The costumes in the folk category must appropriately depict the folk-dance style.

Other Dance Style
Participants can choose to perform Bollywood or other contemporary dance styles in this category. Costumes or music should be appropriate for the chosen dance style for this category. Teams can choose to dance to any music such as a Bollywood film song, or a traditional song, or a medley.

PROPS:

• Props must be moved on and off the dance floor in a timely manner.
• NO DANGEROUS PROPS ALLOWED. Dangerous props include but are not limited to knives, swords, guns, fire, fire crackers, anything thrown directly at the judges table, or anything that could damage the surface of the dance floor, etc. This includes both real and fake weapons or items. Any routine that uses a dangerous prop will receive a 10 POINT deduction, or may even be disqualified.
• HUMAN PROPS – A Human prop is a person acting who as a prop and one that can be seen clearly by the audience, but does not participate in the dance performance. Human props must register as a participant. However, a human prop will NOT be factored into the age level of the routine. If a person enters stage simply to hold up a prop from the back but is not clearly visible to all the audience, the person will NOT be considered to be a human prop.
• IF APPLICABLE, PROPS MUST BE BATTERY OPERATED AND MAY NOT BE PLUGGED INTO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET. Each venue is equipped with a limited amount of electrical power and props could cause a fuse to be blown which could then severely delay or otherwise affect with the dance competition.
• Props can be used as long as they take less than one minute of set-up and tear-down time each. Props cannot include flames, candles, confetti, flowers, sticks, weapons, or sharp objects of any kind which may jeopardize the safety of people in and around that area, or the audience.
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