Anand Literary Festival

Introduction

A spelling bee needs no extensive introduction — for it is so deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness that it is instantly recognizable! A staple across schools, colleges and festivals, this event puts an often underrated but crucial skill — that of spelling — to the test, one vowel and consonant at a time! A spelling bee not only pushes one to think of words critically, but it also breeds familiarity with language unlike any other. Spell your way to the top!

Rules

• Registration for this event is capped at a maximum of 30 participants. No on—the—spot registrations are accepted.
• The event begins at 10:30 am. sharp. The venue is Seminar Hall 1.
• Entry begins for registered participants and audience members/ spectators at 10:20 am.
• Each participant will be assigned a placard with a number on it (from 1 to 30). This represents the order of participation.
• A pronouncer will call the participant to the stage (by their allotted number) and will pronounce the word to be spelled clearly and slowly.
• There are 3 rounds in the event.
• Round 1. Each participant will be asked to spell 3 words each. The maximum time for spelling each word in this round is 20 seconds.
• Round 2. Each participant will be asked to spell 2 words each. The maximum time for spelling each word in this round 25 seconds.
• Round 3. Each participant will be asked to WRITE 2 words each. on a small whiteboard. The maximum time for writing each word in this round 30 seconds.
• Once the participant understands the word, they are asked to spell it clearly and slowly under a time limit.
• The participant is allowed to ask the pronouncer to repeat the word TWICE, but only if necessary.
• The participant is allowed to ask the pronouncer EITHER the meaning of the word, or its usage in a sentence — but not both.
• Any mistake in spelling — even misspeaking — OR failure to spell the word under the given time limit will lead to elimination.
• A buzzer will signify when the allotted word has been spelled incorrectly or when time has run out.
• Upon elimination, the pronouncer will spell the word correctly.
• In the case of ties/insufficient elimination per round, the ALF team reserves the right to initiate a tiebreaker round at any point during the event.
• The decision of the judges is final. No arguments or assertions will be entertained.
• The three best performing participants will win prizes.

Introduction

It is perhaps no surprise that most great orators are first and foremost great debaters – human existence is rife with intricacies and complications; indeed, the world and the issues it harbors are not quite clearly black and white.
It is through debate – and by extension, debating– that these intricacies have been explored, dissected, and understood. To be able to discuss your stance on an issue - in a structured and civilized manner - is a skill we all need.

Rules

•  Registration for this event is capped at a maximum of 20 participants. No on-the-spot registrations are accepted.
•  The event begins at 12:15 p.m. sharp. The venue isSeminar Hall 2.
•  Entry begins for registered participants and audience members/spectators at 12:00noon.
•  Each participant will be assigned a placard with a number on it (from 1 to 20). This represents the order of participation.
•  This is a formal debate.
•  The motion (or issue/topic) of the debate will be emailed/messaged to all registered participants two days prior to the event.
•  A participant will be assigneda position either agreeing OR disagreeing with the motion of the debatevia the aforementioned email/message.
•  The participant’s assigned position is not subject to change. Any attempts to change it by the participant will result in disqualification.
•  The participant will have a total of 2 and a half minutes to make their case.
•  At the end of 2 minutes, the first warning bell will ring. This is to indicate the onset of the last 30 seconds.
•  Asecond warning bell will ring after 15 seconds, indicating the final 15 seconds.
•  Going over the prescribed time-limit will significantly affect evaluation.
•  Any content deemed offensive, or violation of decorum (see General Rules & Regulations) will lead to immediate disqualification.
•  There is no interjection or cross-questioning of the participants; nor are the participants allowed (or expected) to cross question each other.
•  Participants are encouraged to not read their material from a piece of paper. While you are allowed to carry a sheet to the podium, reading out loud will significantly affect evaluation.
•  The decision of the judges is final. No arguments or assertions will be entertained.
•  The three best performing participants will win prizes.

Introduction

When it comes down to it, nothing quite beats the impact of a good speech. History has been punctuated byriveting speeches delivered by charismatic leaders/public figures; immortal words shaping the future of their people. Whilst we cannot hope to mimic these speeches, we can hopefully imbibe a fraction of their greatness into our own original delivery via declamation – which refers to an impassioned speech, delivered in a formal setting.

Rules

•  Registration for this event is capped at a maximum of 15 participants. No on-the-spot registrations are accepted.
•  The event begins at 10:30 a.m.sharp. The venue is Seminar Hall 3.
•  Entry begins for registered participants and audience members/spectators at 10:20 a.m.
•  Each participant will be assigned a placard with a number on it (from 1 to 15). This represents the order of participation.
•  Each participant must select a speech made by a public figure/leader in history.Speeches of contemporary public figures/leaders are NOT allowed.
•  All the same, participants must ensure that the original speaker and the speech are both relatively well-known.
•  The participant must then deliver this speech as a performance.
•  The focus is NOT on mimicry of mannerisms, voice inflections and/or body language of the speaker; rather the emphasis should be on original delivery WHILE carrying the essence of the original.
•  Before starting the speech, the participant must clearly state a) who the original speaker is, b) when and where the speech in question was delivered and c)what the general context (in a few lines) was behind the speech.
•  The speech must not exceed 3 and a half minutes. To conserve time, participants are allowed to deliver a short excerpt from a longer speech.
•  The participant must ensure that in such a case, the speech is not modified out of context.
•  The participant must ensure that the speech is free of controversial and objectionable content. We recommend motivational speeches and speakers.
•  At the end of 3 minutes, the first warning bell will ring. This is to indicate the onset of the last 30 seconds.
•  Asecond warning bell will ring after 15 seconds, indicating the final 15 seconds.
•  Going over the prescribed time-limit will significantly affect evaluation.
•  The decision of the judges is final. No arguments or assertions will be entertained.
•  The three best performing participants will win prizes.

Introduction

Who doesn’t want a large vocabulary? A recurring, persistent desire for most language-learners is to be able to build a vast, multi-purpose repertoire of words. But just like Rome – vocabulary isn’t built in a day. But you must start somewhere! A vocabulary quiz isas fitting a place as any. Testing definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and antonyms, this quiz is one for the wordy!

Rules

•  Registration for this event is capped at a maximum of 10 teams. Each team consists of 2 participants. No on-the-spot registrations are accepted.
•  The event begins at 10:30 a.m. sharp. The venue is Seminar Hall 2.
•  Entry begins for registered participants and audience members/spectators at 10:20 a.m.
•  Each team will be assigned a placard with a number on it (from 1 to 10). This represents the order of participation.
•  All teams will be seated facing the stage.Words will be shown via projector on the screen, and each team must answer questions (pertaining to that word) across various rounds under a time limit.
•  There are 3 rounds in the event.
•  Round 1: Each team will be shown 2 words each. They must a) give a clear definition of the displayed word, b) demonstrate usage in a grammatically sound sentence, and c) state what part of speech it belongs to. The time limit to do so per word in this round is 30 seconds.
•  Round 2: Each team will be shown 3 words each. They must a) give a clear definition of the displayed word and b) choose the most appropriate direct synonym of the word out of the displayed options. The time limit to do so per word in this round is 25 seconds.
•  Round 3: Each team will be shown two incomplete sentences. They must a) fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word and b) choose the most appropriate direct antonym of the word out of the displayed options The time limit to do so per sentence in this round is 20 seconds.
•  Any mistakeacross the criteria – even misspeaking – OR failure to complete the tasks of the round under the given time limit will lead to elimination.
•  A buzzer will signify when the allotted word has been defined incorrectly, or when time has run out.
•  Upon elimination, the correct answer will be displayed for that question.
•  In the case of ties/insufficient eliminations per round, the ALF team reserves the right to initiate a tiebreaker round at any point during the event.
•  The decision of the judges is final. No arguments or assertions will be entertained.
•  The three best performing participants will win prizes.

Rules

•  Registration for this event is capped at a maximum of 20 participants. No on-the-spot registrations are accepted.
•  The event begins at 12:15 p.m. sharp. The venue is the Ground area.
•  Entry begins for registered participants and audience members/spectators at 12:00noon.

Introduction

Poetry has always meant such vastly different things to different people. For some, it is a break away from traditional prose, an act of rebellion in the face of stringent, daunting paragraphs. For others, it is the closest bridge between the emotional state of a human mind, and words – an alliance between the two like no other. Whatever your personal equation may be with poetry, we are here to celebrate it – language no bar. We present to you two events – Slam Poetry and Kavi Sammelan – to cherish poetry in motion, figuratively and literally!

Rules

•  Each participant will be assigned a placard with a number on it (from 1 to 20). This represents the order of participation.
•  The anchor will call the participant to the stage (by their allotted number).
•  Each participant must then perform a piece of their original poetryunder a time limit.
•  All participants must ensure that the language (Hindi or English) of the performed piece aligns with the language of the event.
•  Participants are encouraged to experiment with various forms of poetry – free verse, haikus, sonnets, shayari and so on are all acceptable.
•  There are no restrictions on form, or theme. Participants can pick the theme of their piece freely.
•  All the same, we ask that a) all performed pieces are original creations and b) all pieces be free of any controversial and objectionable content.
•  To ensure the same, we require all participants to mail us (at ) digitized versions of their pieces (for verification)two days before the event. Failure to do so might result in barred entry to the event.
•  The time limit for every participant is 2 and a half minutes.
•  We encourage every participant to perform ONE piece only. In case a participant chooses multiple pieces, they will NOT get extra time.
•  No props are allowed.
•  At the end of 2 minutes, the first warning bell will ring. This is to indicate the onset of the last 30 seconds.
•  Asecond warning bell will ring after 15 seconds, indicating the final 15 seconds.
•  Going over the prescribed time-limit will significantly affect evaluation.
•  The three best performing participants will win prizes.

Introduction

As the iconic lines go, ‘all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players’. We cannot help but fixate on the opening line in particular – because we agree! All the world is a stage, in more ways than one. With this sentiment in our hearts, we’d like to invite you to be the player Shakespeare so beautifully immortalized. Put your theatrical skills to the test, and should you win, don’t forget to take a bow as the curtains fall!

Rules

•  Registration for this event is capped at a maximum of 6 teams. Each team can consist of a maximum of7 participants. No on-the-spot registrations are accepted.
•  The event begins at 3:00p.m. sharp. The venue is the Ground area.
•  Entry begins for registered participants and audience members/spectators at2:45p.m.
•  Each team will be assigned a placard with a number on it (from 1 to 6). This represents the order of participation.
•  The anchor will call the team to the stage (by their allotted number).
•  Each team must then perform ascript in the form of drama under a time limit.
•  While we strongly recommendoriginal work/scripts, adaptations (of scenes) from existing work are allowed - but they must be concise enough to adhere to the time limit.
•  Participants must ensure in such cases that the source material is not modified out of context.
•  In case of an adaptation, one team member must clearly state a) whowrote the original play, b) whichplay the scene is from, and c) which scene (number) it is.
•  Participants are encouraged to experiment with various dramatic forms – monologues, farce, satire, and musical pieces are all acceptable.
•  There are no restrictions on form, or theme. Participants can pick the theme of their piece freely.
•  All the same, we ask that all pieces be free of any controversial and objectionable content.
•  Props are allowed, but none will be provided by the hosts. Please bring your own props if you wish to use them at all (it is optional).
•  At the end of 14 minutes, the first warning bell will ring. This is to indicate the onset of the last minute.
•  Asecond warning bell will ring after 30 seconds, indicating the final 30 seconds.
•  Going over the prescribed time-limit will significantly affect evaluation and may result in immediate disqualification.
•  The best performing team will win the prize.