Thursday 5 February , 14:00 - 18:15 (4 CPD hours)
Classical Indian Dance - NEW Grade 1-6 Bharatanatyam Exam formats with a particular focus on the NEW Theory Examination
Lecturer: Nina Rajarani

This course covers all the compulsory updates to each of our Bharatanatyam Grades 1–6 examinations, as well as covering the content and the structure of the New Theory examination. It is strongly recommended that all teachers participate in this course so that they receive essential examination information in readiness for the compulsory changes from 1 April 2026 onwards. It will also give teachers the chance to ask questions directly to our Lead examiner – Nina Rajarani MBE. 

This course is essential for all teachers entering candidates for exams from 1 April 2026, onwards.

If teachers cannot attend this date, they need to purchase the ticket for the 19 January course to review the recording after the 19 January 2026

The Classical Indian Dance Faculty has conducted a comprehensive review of our Grades to better meet the needs of our teachers and dancers, ensuring alignment with industry standards, and to achieve an appropriate balance between performance and theoretical elements across Grades 1 to 6. Therefore, modifications have been made to the File and Theory components in each grade, with key theoretical content being transferred out of the graded exams and into our new standalone Ofqual-regulated Level 3 Theory Examination, the overall structure of our examinations remain the same.

The new regulated Theory examination consolidates the theoretical content previously distributed throughout the grades into a single, stand-alone examination taken after Grade 5. The content features a Q & A approach (like current grades) to assess candidates' knowledge learnt throughout the grades.

While assessment methods have evolved, these changes do NOT affect teachers training programme and students learning, it is the examination assessment that is been modified to allow Grade students to focus more on performative material, ensuring students continue to be well-rounded dancers and artists with progressive knowledge. Therefore, teachers are expected to continue to deliver the full syllabus as per the technical specification with the examination criteria and duration remaining the same.

For further details, the new Grade Specification document, outlining all updates and assessment criteria, will be published in early January 2026.

For faculty questions, contact: classicalindian@istd.org

Times and dates

Please note that all course dates and times are stated in GMT. Courses will include time for breaks; however, the exact timing of this break may vary from course to course.

Closing dates

Bookings for this course close 3 days before it is due to take place. Therefore tickets may not always be available to purchase via the website. However, if you contact us via email coursebookings@istd.org we may be able to manually book you onto the course. 

For any delegates who attend on the day without prior payment, we reserve the right to apply a 10% surcharge onto the cost of the course. 

Course cancellations

Courses are subject to cancellation (up to 3 weeks in advance) if the minimum attendee numbers have not been reached. Therefore we strongly advise that all attendees book well in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Lecturers

In the instance of a change to availability, we may need to find an alternative lecturer (than the one originally scheduled) to lead a course. This will not affect the content covered in the course.

CPD hours

All hours stated next to each course refer to the earned CPD hours. This will be reflected on each certificate of attendance that you will receive.

Waiting list 

If a course you wish to attend has sold out, please contact us via email coursebookings@istd.org to be added to the waiting list.

Further questions

If you have any further questions, please contact coursebookings@istd.org and a member of the CPD team will get back to you.

Booking Conditions

All fees must be paid in full, with cleared funds, before bookings close for the course. Delegates may only attend once payment has been made. Payment will not be accepted on the day of the course unless under exceptional mitigating circumstances where this has been formally agreed by Education and Training.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be made via email to coursebookings@istd.org

• For any cancellations made less than 21 days before the event, the ISTD will retain 50% of the total booking fee.
• For any cancellations made less than 14 days before the event, the ISTD will retain 75% of the total booking fee.
• For any cancellations made less than 7 days before the event, the ISTD will retain the total booking fee.

Under exceptional circumstances or where a doctor’s certificate is provided a full or partial refund may be given at the discretion of the Education and Training department.

In the event that event delivery is affected by a local lockdown or any other force majeure, we will do our best to make alternative arrangements in order to ensure the course can go ahead. However, if this is not possible, delegates will be contacted and offered a refund or a credit note.

Where the attendee tests positive for Covid-19, via a PCR or lateral flow test, and the period of compulsory self-isolation means they are unable to attend the event - a full credit note will be issued. Credit note is to be used within 24 months of the event date and refunds will not be issued.

Delegates are advised to book refundable travel and/or accommodation, as the ISTD will not refund any incurred costs if the event does not take place.

This does not affect your statutory rights.

Further Information

Certificates of attendance will be sent to each delegate via email as a PDF document, after the CPD event has taken place. The CPD hours on the certificate will reflect the time attended by the participant with time deducted for late arrival or early departure from the session.

The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing has the right to refuse bookings on the grounds of health and safety.

Course delegates are responsible for their own personal property and safety. 

The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing reserves the right to record any CPD for the purpose of further training. The ISTD is committed to the principle that the interests and welfare of participants taking part in dance activities is paramount. To comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, ISTD needs your permission before we take any photography or video of you. By acknowledging and agreeing to these terms I consent to ISTD photographing or videoing me at this event. 

Filming /photography / recording of any content displayed or discussed during the class is not permitted by any delegate.

All work displayed is the intellectual property of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and appointed lecturers.

Behaviour and Conduct

Should any delegate display behaviour or conduct that is not deemed appropriate or respectful during or after the event then they may be asked to leave for the benefit of the other attendees.

How we use your information

Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing will process your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. Please refer to our privacy policy which can be found in full on our website, www.istd.org

Any concerns should be emailed to coursebookings@istd.org