ODISSI, CHAMPU & CHHANDA (OCC) Competition
Preamble about Odissi, Champu & Chhanda music
Odissi music belongs to the genre of Classical music of India and has its origin in the state of Odisha. Of the five main branches of Indian Classical music, Avanti, Panchali, Udramagadhi, Hindustani and Carnatic, Udramagadhi exists in the form of Odissi music. Odissi songs, including Gita Govinda (Ashtapadi), traditionally depict the love and frolics of Radha and Lord Krishna. Classical Odissi dance is also performed with Odissi music. All songs of Odissi are sung in specific ‘Raagas’ and ‘Taals‘. The typical singing style of Odissi starts with a short ‘Aalap’, followed by the main song ‘Prabandha’. ‘Taan’ is used in the form of ’Sargam’ and usually comes at the end of the song. It is set to the beats and pauses of the ‘Taal‘. Most Odissi songs are written by the renowned lyricists such as Jayadev, Kavisamrat Upendra Bhanja, Banamali, Deenakrushna, Kavisurya Baladev Rath, Gopalakrushna, Birakishore Dev etc.
Time Limits: Time limits will be strictly enforced in this competition in all rounds and any entry that does not meet the time requirements will be disqualified immediately. The time limit per performance is as follows:
- 3 minutes for solo and duet
- 4 minutes for a group of 3 & 4
- 5 minutes for a group of 5 & more
Champu
‘Kavya’ with admixture of prose and poem is known as Champu. In a Champu composition, every stanza starts with the same alphabet. This is sung in ‘Raaga’ and ‘Tala‘. There is no Taan in this style of singing.
In Indian traditional style of music, the first stanza of a song which is known as Sthayee in Hindustani Music or Ghosha/Dhruba Pada in Odiya music, usually gets repeated after each succeeding stanza (Antraahs). Also, the Sthayee sounds different from the Antraahs in most music compositions.
The main characteristic of these verses is the stress on rhythm. Every ‘Pada’ of a Chhanda is sung in the same swara. Singers sing from the Odia language epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and from the Indian Puranas.
Odissi, Champu, Chhanda (OCC) Competition
The Competition Vocal Started in 2009 in the NJ Convention with the initiative of Late Srimati Lata Misra. The OCC Competition has been continuing uninterruptedly in all subsequent conventions. This competition is to promote and recognize the classical singing of Odia musical treasures including Odissi, Champu and Chhanda by young Odias in North America.
- There are two age groups for participants: 1- Junior (7 to 12 yrs old) and 2- Senior (13 to 18 yrs old)
- Participants must be registered for the OSA convention through individual or family registration
- Multiple Participants belonging to any OSA Chapter are allowed
- As of this date, only solo performances are included, duet or groups are not eligible.
When the team receives entries from more participants than can be accommodated in the given time slot for the competition (60 to 90 minutes), e.g. more than 10 to 15 entries, a screening process may be used to select participants. This selection may be based on an uploaded video clip of a prior performance of the participant. The entries would be screened based on quality, region, and time of submission, sequentially. The cultural committee should appoint at least three judges to screen the video clips and one of them should be an Executive Committee member. The convention cultural team announces the finalists by a certain deadline which is recommended to be 31st May.
Rules & Regulation:
- Each participant is required to fill out the cultural sign up as available at the Convention website.
- Each participant can choose any one type of song from Odissi, Champu and Chhanda. Participants can also sing an Ashtapadi (from Jayadev’s Gita Govinda).
- All Participants who choose to sing with live accompanying music are required to participate for a rehearsal with Harmonium and Mardal/Tabla accompanists. This rehearsal will be one day before the convention at the convention place. Convention cultural committee will arrange the accompanists. The venue/time will be intimated to all participants through email or phone.
- Participant can sing the song in the competition by memorizing the song or directly reading the song lyrics. Memorizing the song is preferred.
- Each participant can perform a maximum of 4 minutes.
- All participants must be seated together at the competition dais.
- Participants can practice the song on their own or if he/she is interested, can rightly contact OSA authorities for help with rehearsing the song. Participants can buy Odissi, Champu & Chhanda Audio and Karaoke CDs, sung by renowned Odissi singers, such as Nazia Alam and Sangeeta Gosain.
- For music accompaniment during the performance, the participant can choose to use Karaoke tracks, pre-recorded percussion loop mp3s, tanpura and percussion apps, or live accompaniment, based on availability of accompanists. It will be helpful for participants to inform the cultural committee of the musical scale and specific taala the song will be performed in to allow for best accommodation by accompanying artists.
- A panel of three judges with decent knowledge of Odissi/Champu/Chhanda music will judge the competition. All efforts will be made not to duplicate the screening selection and competition judges.
- Judges’ decisions are final
Odissi, Champu & Chhanda (OCC) Competition – Instrumental
OSA has been proud to introduce a OCC instrumental competition at OSA Convention since 2015. This will provide our children that play instruments with a platform to showcase their talent. Instruments such as the flute, violin, harmonium, guitar, etc. are encouraged. Please note that percussion instruments such as the tabla, drums, Mardal etc. are not included in this competition.
Eligibility
Rules and Regulation for Instrumental Competition To start this year there will be one age group between 12 and 18 years old. A minimum of 5 participants are required for the competition. Participants must be registered for the OSA convention through individual or family registration.
- Each participant can choose any one type of song from Odissi, Champu and Chhanda to play on instruments.
- Participants can choose to play with live accompaniment (Harmonium, Tabla or Pakhawaj) or play on a karaoke track.
- Participants who choose to play with live accompaniment will get a chance for rehearsal just one day before convention at the convention place. Convention cultural committee will arrange the accompanists. The venue/time will be intimated to all participants through email or phone.
- Participants, who choose to play with a karaoke track, need to submit the music with Signup form. The karaoke track needs to be in mp3 format.
- Each participant can perform for a maximum of 4 minutes. All Participants may have to sit together on the stage, until their name is called to perform.
- A panel of three judges with decent knowledge of Odissi/Champu/Chhanda music will judge the competition. The judgment will be done in 3 areas 1 – Sur, 2 – Taal and Laya and 3 – Presentation and Improvisation. Judges’ decisions are final.
Awards
- Three winners will be selected. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.
- Additionally, certificates will be given to all the participants by the Convention cultural committee.