Disclaimer

1. To enter the Talent Time competition, participants must agree to be bound by the following rules and indicate acceptance while completing their registration.
2. KAGW reserves the right to solely determine eligibility for the reasons stated herein or on any other reasonable basis.
3. KAGW reserves the right to make alterations to the rules at any time and participants must agree to abide by the most recent version of the rules. Participants are accordingly advised to refer to the rules document before the competition and review the rules document available on the KAGW website periodically.
4. By entering into any of the competitions, it is agreed that participants will not hold KAGW, or its volunteers responsible for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted while in attendance and/or participating. KAGW and the hosting facility are not responsible for personal injury or property loss or damage to either contestant or spectators.

General Rules

1. KAGW will host several competitions under the “Talent Time” banner for all age groups.
2. Participants must complete the online registration form available at talenttime.kagw.com and submit the mandatory registration fees on or before the due date to secure their participation confirmation. Your spot is not confirmed unless payment is received.
3. For all group events, the group leaders must register themselves first and provide the names of all the members of their group in the comments/notes field. In addition to this, each individual in the group will also need to register separately.
4. Organizers at their discretion may accept registrations after the last date for an additional fee (walk-in registration fees).
5. Walk in registrations are based on number of slots available are not guaranteed and highly discouraged.
6. To become a member of KAGW and avail discounts in cultural events throughout the year, is $20 per individual and $25 per family.
7. Participants should upload their sound track via the registration portal by deadline date stated.
8. KAGW is not responsible for any claims of copyright violations.
9. KAGW reserves the right to publish poetries, essays, stories, paintings and drawings submitted in the competitions on the KAGW website or in KAGW newsletter and the Onam Souvenir.
10. Participants should bring their own supplies (dance costumes, watercolor, pencil, pen, etc.) required for their events. The organizers will provide the paper for written competitions, painting and pencil sketching. Participants are not allowed to use their own paper.
11. Participants should report at least 15 minutes before the beginning of the event at the stage/venue. Participants who arrive after the conclusion of their event will not be allowed to participate and their registration for that event will be deemed canceled and the registration fees will not be reimbursed. The participant may still participate in other events for which they have registered provided they show up on time.
12. Participants shall not receive any communication from the organizers if they fail to report at the venue on time.
13. Respectful behavior and sportsmanship are expected from all participants and parents.

Competition Rules

1. Competitions will be conducted based on the following categories:
   • Category 0 - Below 1st grade
   • Category 1 - 1st grade to 3rd grade
   • Category 2 - 4th grade to 6th grade
   • Category 3 - 7th grade to 10th grade
   • Category 4 - Above 10th grade (no upper limit)
2. For administrative purposes, categories are determined based on the grade/class in which the participant is currently studying. The participant’s actual age will not be considered to determine their category.
3. The mandatory minimum for Cinematic/Non-Classical and Classical Dance (Group) is 6 participants and maximum of 15 participants.
4. For Group dance only (Classical and Cinematic/Non Classical Dance (Group)), the below categorization will be followed.
   • Category 1 - 3rd grade and below
   • Category 2 - 4th grade to 6th grade
   • Category 3 - 7th grade to 10th grade
   • Category 4 - 11th grade to 29 yrs
   • Category 5 - 30 yrs and above (determined by completing 30 yrs no later than April 1st 2024)
5. For group events except group dance the highest category of the participants in the group will be used to determine the category of the group. For Group dance (Classical and Cinematic/Non-Classical) highest age category of at least 2 participants in the group will be used to determine the age category of the group. For example, if the group has five participants from category 1, two participants from category 2 and one participant from category 3 the age category of the group will be category 2.
6. False representation of the category will result in disqualification of the participant and the team in the case of group events.
7. Participants can only participate in one category. However, participants may be assigned a higher category for a group event based on the category of the other participants in the group. A participant cannot contest in multiple categories in any individual competition qualifying for Kalathilakam or Kalaprathibha.
8. Participants will not receive any assistance for their positioning on stage. Adults may however assist placing the props if need be, prior to the start of the performance. No assistance with costume or props will be allowed once performance begins.
9. The male participant (Cat 0, 1, 2, 3) who gets the maximum points will be declared the “Kalaprathibha”.
10. The female participant (Cat 0, 1, 2, 3) who gets maximum points will be declared the “Kalathilakam”.
11. All individual events (Arts & Literary and Performing Arts) will be counted towards Kalaprathibha and Kalathilakam awards provided the category-event had equal to or more than 5 participants.
12. Organizers reserve the right to cancel a whole event or a specific category within the event if there are less than 4 participants for that event-category.
13. Points are allocated for individual events as follows:
    • 1st place - 5 points
    • 2nd place - 3 points
    • 3rd place - 1 point
14. In case of a tie in total points, the participant who got the maximum number of 1st places will be awarded the title. In case there is a tie in the number of 1st places, the number of 2nd places will be counted.
15. If an event has less than 5 participants in a category, the points earned by the participants in that competition will not be counted for “Kalaprathibha” or “Kalathilakam”. However, they will still be awarded for their accomplishment in that event.
16. The participants contesting for “Kalaprathibha” and “Kalathilakam” are required to participate in at least one ‘Arts & Literary’ event and one ‘Performing Arts’ event.
17. To encourage participation in Malayalam events -- a special award “Malayala Bhasha Ratnam” will be awarded (separate from Kalaprathibha and Kalathilakam) to an individual that attained the maximum points in the Malayalam event participation combined i.e. Malayalam public speaking and Malayalam poetry recitation which are exclusive Malayalam events. There is one award across Cat 1, 2, 3 and there is no separate award for male/female. In case of a tie, the younger participant will be awarded for their accomplishment.
18. Judges decision shall be considered final

Disclaimer

While participating in events held or sponsored by the Kerala Association of Greater Washington (KAGW), participants are encouraged to practice hand hygiene, social distancing and wear face coverings to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19.

Questions?