Awaaz 2026

Anyone living in the USA falling with following age groups as of  September 11, 2026 

• Junior: 7 to 12 years old
• Youth: 13 to 17 years old
• Adult: 18 years old and above

There are 2 categories. A contestant is welcome to participate in both categories. 

• Hindustani Vocal
• Bollywood Vocal 

See details in the above section. 

Audition Round: 

The audition round will be conducted through virtual video submission.

• Maximum performance duration: 6 minutes.
• Performance must be accompanied by Tanpura or Shruti Box.
• A digital tabla or live tabla accompanist is permitted.
• No other instruments are allowed.

• Maximum performance duration: 4 minutes, including the introduction, prelude, and interludes.
• Songs must be performed using an audio karaoke track only.
• Displaying or reading from a video karaoke track during the performance is not permitted.
• Item songs, rap-based songs, heavily auto-tuned tracks, or songs containing explicit or inappropriate lyrics are not permitted

• Submit one song in the category of your choice.
• The video must be recorded on or after July 5, 2026.
• At the beginning of the video, introduce yourself by stating:
  • Full Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Date of Recording
  • Competition Category
  • Title of the Song
• The video must be a single, continuous recording without any edits, cuts, trimming, auto-tuning, AI enhancement, or other digital modifications. Any violation may result in disqualification.
• Slips, notes, lyric sheets, or teleprompters are not permitted.
• Upload your unedited video to YouTube (Unlisted) or Google Drive, and provide the correct link in the registration form.
• Contestants may be invited for an in-person audition, if required.

• Registration & Video Submission Deadline: Sunday, August 2, 2026
• Incomplete registrations or late submissions will not be accepted.
• Finalists Announcement: On or before Sunday, August 23, 2026

The decision of the Judges' Panel will be final and binding.

Grand Finale Round: 

Friday, September 11, 2026, After 6:00 PM EST

Venue: To Be Announced. The venue details will be shared closer to the event date.

Finalists will perform live before the audience and the judges.

• Contestants must perform a different song from the one submitted for the audition round.
• There will be one performance round.
• The judges may request contestants to demonstrate additional musical passages or improvisation related to their performance.
• Slips, notes, lyric sheets, or teleprompters are not permitted.

• Maximum performance duration: 6 minutes.
• Performance must be accompanied by Tanpura or Shruti Box.
• Contestants may use a live or digital tabla and live harmonium accompaniment.
• No other instruments are allowed.
• Contestants are responsible for arranging their own tabla and/or harmonium accompanists, if required.

• Maximum performance duration: 4 minutes, including the prelude and interludes.
• Songs must be performed using an audio karaoke track.
• Displaying or reading from a video karaoke track during the performance is not permitted.
• The karaoke track must be submitted to the organizers before the Grand Finale.
• Karaoke tracks containing prominent lead or supporting vocals may not be accepted and could result in disqualification.
• Item songs, rap-based songs, heavily auto-tuned tracks, or songs containing explicit or inappropriate lyrics are not permitted

The decision of the Judges' Panel will be final and binding.

• Participants may register in one or more categories by submitting a separate registration form and entry for each category.
• Incomplete registrations or late submissions will not be accepted.
• Songs must be performed from memory. The use of slips, notes, lyric sheets, or teleprompters is not permitted.
• Time limits will be strictly enforced. Judges reserve the right to stop a performance that exceeds the allotted time.
• Any attempt to influence the judges or organizers, directly or indirectly, may result in immediate disqualification.
• The organizers reserve the right to modify the competition schedule, format, rules, or categories if necessary.
• If a category does not receive a sufficient number of registrations, the organizers reserve the right to merge, split, or cancel that category.
• By registering for the competition, participants grant the organizers permission to photograph, audio record, and video record their performances and to use such materials for promotional, educational, archival, website, social media, and other non-commercial purposes without additional compensation.
• The decision of the Judges' Panel will be final and binding.

• All contestants are required to pay a registration fee to enter the competition. The applicable registration is $25 for each category.
• Contestants can register and make online payment here: https://forms.gle/MJzRdY69z9u5xxNb8

• Trophies and Cash prizes will be awarded to the Champions, 1st Runners-up and 2nd Runners-up from each group and category
• Finalists will be invited to attend an exclusive complimentary live masterclass with Pandit Anol Chatterjee—a unique opportunity to learn directly from one of India's distinguished Hindustani classical vocalists.

• By participating in the competition, contestants grant Heritage School of Performing Arts LLC and Heritage Youth Club Inc. the right to photograph, audio record, and video record their performances, and to use such recordings, photographs, and related materials for promotional, educational, archival, website, social media, and publicity purposes without additional compensation.
• The organizers reserve the right to amend, interpret, or modify the competition rules, schedule, or format at any time if deemed necessary for the fair and successful conduct of the competition. Any such changes will apply uniformly and will not be made to favor or disadvantage any individual contestant.
• The decisions of the Judges' Panel on all matters relating to the competition shall be final and binding. No correspondence or appeals regarding the judges' decisions will be entertained.
• Submission of a registration form constitutes the participant's acknowledgment and acceptance of all competition Rules, Regulations, and Terms & Conditions.