Competition Guidelines for 2026 Finals
Namaskarams!!
Guruguhaamrta is proud to present the 2026 competition of Muddusvami Dikshitar kirtanams for students of vocal music. Year after year, the competition has gained credibility and interest among the student and musicians’ community for its serious, focussed and academic approach to the works of Dikshitar. Winners are awarded Tambura and Cash prizes.
The following are the Kirtanam specific guidelines for the 2026 Finals of the competition.
Common Kirtanam Guidelines
Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini (SSP) - Is widely regarded as the Most Authentic Source of Kirtanams composed by Sri Muddusvami Dikshitar
1. For the Finals for Junior and Senior categories, Kirtanams Chosen MUST be listed in the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini (SSP). Before preparing for the finals, please verify if the kirtanams you are preparing are in the SSP. You can use the link below to check the listing of Kirtanams in SSP. For Sub-Junior category, it is not mandatory to have SSP Kirtanams for finals.
Link to Listing of SSP Kirtanams - Click Here
2. While the Kirtanams chosen for the Finals should be listed in SSP (Junior and Senior), the patantharam and (version) of the Kirtanams can be as taught by the Guru
2. Kirtanams NOT listed in the SSP are NOT allowed for the Finals (Applicable for Junior and Senior)
3. No Manodharmam (Aalapana, Neraval and Swarams) required.
4. Participants are expected to know about the Musical and Lyrical aspects of the Kirtanams (same as Prelims)
5. The judges may ask to sing any of the Kirtanams on a whole or a section of multiple Kirtanams.
6. No time limit
7. Kirtanams listed in Prelims can be given for finals (provided they are ALL listed in SSP for Junior and Senior)
8. For Sub-Juniors - List of 3 Kirtanams
Kirtanam Guidelines for 2026 finals for Juniors and Seniors (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
The finalists for the Junior and Senior categories of the competitions should learn one or more new kirtanams listed below (in addition to their set list of 5 Kirtanams in SSP for Junior and 10 Kirtanams in SSP for Senior)
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It is NOT needed for Sub-juniors Finalists
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It is OPTIONAL (but added credit) for Juniors Finalists
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It is MANDATORY for Seniors Finalists to learn atleast one Kirtanam from below to be considered for scoring (more would be added credit)
*You need to sing as taught by your Guru’s interpretation of the notations in the Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini. Your Guru is the final authority of what you sing*
This year, the theme is going to be Dikshitar kirtanams with graha svaras, namely the following. The kirtanam list is
1. ramacandra bhaktam bhaja manasa - geyahejjajji
2. renukadevi samrakshitoham - kannada bangala
3. sada vinata sadare - revagupti
https://www.dikshitar.org/resources
For other Competition general guidelines: https://www.dikshitar.org/2026-competition-guidelines-faqs