A CBSE Sahodaya kalotsav is a cluster-level arts festival for schools in one region. Its judges score every item against published value points, and the grade and rank come from the total. This page puts the judging criteria for every item in one place, taken from a 2026 cluster programme booklet, so that judges, coordinators and teachers work from the same sheet. Each table lists the criteria and the marks for that item.
How the marks and grades work in this cluster
Each item is marked out of 100 across its criteria. The cluster’s grade bands are A: 70% and above, B: 60–69% and C: 50–59%. Anyone at 49% or below gets no grade and no points. Position points are awarded as shown below. These bands differ from the state kalolsavam rules, so always check which rulebook applies to your event.
| Position | Individual item points | Group item points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | 10 |
| 2nd | 3 | 6 |
| 3rd | 1 | 3 |
Categories and time limits
Students compete in four categories by class: Category I (Classes III and IV), Category II (Classes V, VI and VII), Category III (Classes VIII, IX and X) and Category IV (Classes XI and XII). A student can enter at most five individual items (three on stage and two off stage) and two group items. Students compete only in their own category, except in the non-category group items.
1. Art: drawing, painting and cartoon
Paper or canvas is provided. The theme is set by the judges at the venue, with 2 hours allowed. Participants bring their own pens, pencils and colours. Paper size is A3.
| Item | Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing | Proportion | 25 |
| Neatness | 25 | |
| Imagination and beauty of the strokes | 25 | |
| Clarity of the theme | 25 | |
| Painting | Ability in portraits and scenery | 20 |
| Light and shade | 20 | |
| Imagination | 20 | |
| Perception | 20 | |
| Clarity of the theme | 20 | |
| Cartoon | Clarity of the theme | 20 |
| Sense of humour | 20 | |
| Uniqueness | 20 | |
| Beauty of the strokes | 20 | |
| Composition | 20 |
2. Literary items
Writing paper is provided at the venue, and participants bring their own writing materials. Elocution topics are announced in advance. Other topics are announced at the venue. Only poems are allowed in recitation.
| Item | Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay writing | Suitable introduction and conclusion | 20 |
| Systematic and logical arrangement of points | 20 | |
| In-depth knowledge of the topic | 20 | |
| Flow of language | 20 | |
| Grammatical correctness | 10 | |
| Correct spelling | 10 | |
| Story writing | Correct understanding of the theme | 25 |
| Flow of language | 25 | |
| Correct spelling | 25 | |
| Imagination and creativity | 25 | |
| Poetry writing | Rhythmic arrangement of words | 25 |
| Imagination | 25 | |
| Flow of language | 25 | |
| Correct spelling | 25 | |
| Extempore / elocution | In-depth knowledge of the topic | 20 |
| Logical arrangement of points | 20 | |
| Flow of language | 20 | |
| Grammatical correctness | 20 | |
| Pose, gestures, facial expressions, voice modulation and confidence | 20 | |
| Recitation | Suitable facial expressions | 25 |
| Grasp of the meaning and message of the poem | 25 | |
| Clarity and correct pronunciation | 25 | |
| Appropriate introduction and voice modulation | 25 |
3. Music
Rules that apply to every music item. Light music excludes film, album and devotional songs. Classical music allows sruthi and any raga. Mappilappattu excludes film-song renditions. Group songs must be in Malayalam, with no instruments except the sruthi box. Group patriotic songs may be in Malayalam, Hindi or English, must relate to national integration, and allow only the sruthi box. Instrumental performers arrange their own instruments.
| Item | Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Light music | Shareeram (physical presence and body language) | 20 |
| Sruthilayam (sruthi and pitch) | 20 | |
| Njana bhavam (emotional expression) | 20 | |
| Shabda shudhi (diction) | 20 | |
| Thalam (rhythm) | 20 | |
| Classical music | Shareeram | 15 |
| Sruthilayam | 15 | |
| Njana bhavam | 20 | |
| Bhava shudhi (expression) | 15 | |
| Thalam | 20 | |
| Manodharmam (improvisation) | 15 | |
| Mappilappattu | Sahithyam (lyrics) | 25 |
| Sruthilayam | 25 | |
| Mappila thanima (Mappila style) | 25 | |
| Thaalam | 25 | |
| Group song / patriotic song | Harmony | 20 |
| Group singing | 20 | |
| Sruthilayam | 20 | |
| Shabda shudhi | 20 | |
| Thalam | 20 |
Instrumental items each total 100 on the criteria below:
| Instrument | Criteria (25 marks each) |
|---|---|
| Thabala (eastern) | Fingering, chollu, gamagam, thalam |
| Mridangam | Fingering, chollu, nadham, thalam |
| Violin (eastern) | Fingering, swarasthanam, nadham, thalam |
| Flute (eastern) | Swarasthanam, thalam, nadham, manodharmam |
| Guitar (western) | Nadham, thalam, fingering, notation |
4. Dance
Pen-drive music is used only for group dance, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi and folk dance. The pen drive is handed to the stage manager 10 minutes before the performance and must hold only one song. Oppana allows three singers and seven performers, with no background music. Thiruvathirakali is for girls only: 10 participants (2 singers and 8 performers), 10 minutes, traditional dress. Margamkali is for girls, in traditional costume, with no background music.
| Item | Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Folk dance | Akara sushama (body shape) | 15 |
| Prakadanam (clarity of expression) | 20 | |
| Thalam (rhythm) | 20 | |
| Mudhra (hand gestures) | 15 | |
| Chalana bhangi (movement style) | 15 | |
| Costume | 15 | |
| Classical dance | Vesham (costume) | 15 |
| Akara sushama | 15 | |
| Bhava prakadanam (expression) | 20 | |
| Mudra | 15 | |
| Thalam | 20 | |
| Steps | 15 | |
| Oppana | Rhythm of singing | 20 |
| Expressions | 20 | |
| Dress and movements | 20 | |
| Thalam and combination of clapping | 20 | |
| Originality of presentation | 20 | |
| Thiruvathirakali | Costume (traditional Kerala dress, preferably kasavu set) | 20 |
| Originality of the item | 20 | |
| Chalanam (movement) | 20 | |
| Thalam | 20 | |
| Steps | 20 | |
| Group dance | Clarity, expressions and theme | 20 |
| Harmony between performers | 20 | |
| Movement | 20 | |
| Rhythm | 20 | |
| Presentation | 20 | |
| Margamkali | Veshathanima (costume) | 20 |
| Thalam | 20 | |
| Steps | 20 | |
| Music and clarity of singing | 20 | |
| Presentation | 20 | |
| Kolkali (boys only) | Originality of song | 20 |
| Thalavum koladakkavum (stick play) | 25 | |
| Meythayam (body and movement) | 15 | |
| Steps | 25 | |
| Presentation | 15 | |
| Duff muttu (boys only, 10 participants, 10 minutes) | Correct rhythmic singing | 25 |
| Expressions | 25 | |
| Presentation | 25 | |
| Byth and Mahath (the verse forms used) | 25 |
5. Stage and performance items
| Item | Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mono act | Clarity of speech | 20 |
| Clarity of ideas and imitative skill | 20 | |
| Imitative skill and conversational skills | 20 | |
| Conversational skills, theme and character presentation | 20 | |
| Theme and character presentation | 20 | |
| Mimicry | Theme | 25 |
| Acting | 25 | |
| Imitative skill | 25 | |
| Originality | 25 | |
| Mime | Contemporary value of themes | 25 |
| Expression | 25 | |
| Originality | 25 | |
| Clarity | 25 | |
| Anchoring | Presentation (body language, cheerfulness) | 20 |
| Aptness of dress | 20 | |
| Flow of language (voice modulation, accent) | 20 | |
| Expression (emotions, actions) | 20 | |
| Subject knowledge (depth and clarity) | 20 | |
| English one act play | Plot and narrative | 20 |
| Flow of language | 20 | |
| Acting | 20 | |
| Stage use | 20 | |
| Costume | 20 | |
| Western music concert | Rhythmic control | 20 |
| Interpretation of style | 20 | |
| Technique (tuning, playing, drumming) | 20 | |
| Band dynamics | 20 | |
| Voice modulation and pronunciation | 20 | |
| Band display | Marching and formation | 20 |
| Standing and playing | 20 | |
| Neatness and functioning of instruments | 20 | |
| Turn out | 20 | |
| National anthem playing | 20 |
6. Digital and visual items
| Item | Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPoint presentation (2 participants, 1 hour prep, 5 minutes presentation) | Clarity of the theme | 20 |
| In-depth knowledge of the topic | 20 | |
| Animation and transitions | 20 | |
| Colour code and images | 20 | |
| Introduction and conclusion | 20 | |
| Poster designing | Subject composition | 20 |
| Creativity | 20 | |
| Visualisation | 20 | |
| Approach to the emblem and logo | 20 | |
| Colour scheme | 20 | |
| Collage | Approach to the subject | 20 |
| Recycled materials used | 20 | |
| Neatness | 20 | |
| Creativity | 20 | |
| Colour scheme | 20 | |
| Digital painting | Clarity of the theme | 20 |
| Optimisation of images | 20 | |
| Synchronisation of colour settings | 20 | |
| Perception (depth, height and distance) | 20 | |
| Uniqueness | 20 |
Digital painting is made on the spot, in MS Paint, at 10 × 7 inches, saved as JPEG in the folder named for the item. The file name must be the participant’s chest number. Poster designs must have a commercial feel, and cutting and pasting pictures is not allowed. Collage uses waste magazine cuttings and newspapers, on A3 paper.
Rules every judging panel should check first
- Three judges per item. The judges do the tabulation in the presence of the stage managers. The winners’ codes and grades are announced on stage before the next item starts.
- Time limits. Green light means the start, yellow means one minute left, and red means the limit is over. A performer who goes over the limit cannot win a prize. Where there is no light, a bell is used.
- Entries below three. If an item has fewer than three entries, it may or may not be held. If held, grade points are given but position points are not.
- Standby performers. Group items can register two standbys, who can replace a performer only before the stage, not during a performance.
- Identity proof is compulsory for all participants.
- Appeals must be filed within one hour of the result, by the principal or team manager, with the fee set in the rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is the cluster grade the same as the state kalolsavam grade?
No. This cluster uses A from 70%, B from 60% and C from 50%. The state rules use different bands, so confirm the rulebook for your event before setting up scoring.
Do all items total 100 marks?
Yes, in the booklet every item’s criteria add up to 100. Check any custom item the same way before judging begins.
How do I set up judging for these items?
Enter each criterion with its marks, so every judge scores the same sheet. eTalenter runs judging on the same criteria and totals each item automatically. You can open a live demo and log in as a judge to see it. The demo is read-only. For help setting up a cluster event, message us on WhatsApp or email support@etalenter.com. For the wider process, see online scoring for judges and judge scoring and tabulation.
For state-level criteria, see the kalolsavam judgement sheet.
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