Program Rules

Visual Art / Literary Contests will be held on Saturday, Mar 12th, 2022

For any clarifications regarding the rules or events please email to [email protected]

Visual Art / Literary Contests

Visual Art (Juniors, Intermediate, Seniors)

  • Drawing (Juniors, Intermediate, Seniors)
  • Painting (any medium) (Juniors, Intermediate, Seniors)

Writing in English (Juniors, Intermediate, Seniors)

  • Story Writing ( Juniors only)
  • Essay Writing  ( Intermediate, Seniors )
  • Poetry Writing ( Junior, Intermediate, Senior )

Story Telling in Malayalam (Junior & Intermediate)

  • Story Telling ( Junior & Intermediate only)

Story Writing in Malayalam (Intermediate)

  • Story Writing ( Intermediate only)

Writing in Malayalam (Senior)

  • Essay Writing ( Senior )

Photography

  • Senior – A live event
  • Intermediate – A live event

 

General Rules – Visual Literary Event

  • Registration for Visual / Literary will  begin on Feb 18th  2022 at 10:30 AM CST and and close by Saturday, March 5th
  • There will be an early bird offer till March 2nd Wednesday.
  • No Walk-ins are allowed for Visual/Literary competition.
  • The event will commence at 1:00 PM on Mar 12th. The participants are encouraged to report to the venue at least 15 minutes before their specific contest start time.
  • All the required details regarding the participation/performance (name of participants, DOB of participants etc.) should be provided through www.gama.ngo while registering for the event.
  • For a program item to be considered in a competitive category, there should be a minimum of 3 contestants registered for it. If at least 3 contestants are not available, the event may be cancelled or conducted as a non-competitive event at the discretion of GAMA board.
  • Participants arriving after an event has started will be allowed to participate. However, the end time will not change and no grace time will be provided. For e.g. if an event ends at 3:15pm and the child arrives at 3:00pm, they can participate but will only get 15 mins to finish.
  • Participants who arrive after an event has finished, will not be allowed to participate in that event if they have registered for that event.
  • First, Second and Third prizes will be distributed for each competitive item
  • In the event of a tie, the following process is followed
  • if there is a tie for first place – the first prize will be given to all the first place winners, a second prize will not be given and a third prize will be given to the runner-up.
  • If there is a tie for second place, the second prize will be given to all the second place winners and a third prize will not be given.
  • If there is a tie for third place, the third prize will be given to all the third place winners.
  • Topics for each of the events will be announced at the time of the event. However we will be sharing 3 topics, ahead of time for contestants to prepare. This will be sent to the contestant’s registered email address.The topic for the competition will be picked from any of these 3 topics at the time of the event.
  • All contestants should abide by the guidelines mentioned below.
  • All contestants must dress and conduct themselves appropriately, in conformity with accepted standards of dress code.
  • Contestants or parent/legal guardians of the contestant cannot challenge the decision of judges. Decision of judges will be final and binding.
  • Parents/guardians cannot assist the contestant/s in any manner during the event.
  • GAMA reserves the right to regroup and change the competition categories based on participation requests.
  • GAMA reserves the right to accommodate, cancel or disqualify participants if they deem it necessary.
  • GAMA is  not responsible for any misplaced or lost personal belongings.

 

Age Group Criteria:

*** GAMA uses the ISD cut – off date of 1 Sep 2021 to group participants into the different age categories. ***

  • Senior: Children born between 2 Sep 2004 and 1 Sep 2009 (both dates inclusive)
  • Intermediate: Children born between 2 Sep 2009 and 1 Sep 2013 (both dates inclusive)
  • Junior: Children born between 2 Sep 2013 and 1 Sep 2017 (both dates inclusive)

 

Individual Event Rules

Rules for Essay Writing/ Poetry in English

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022
  • Time: Will be communicated closer to the event date
  • Venue: Brushy Creek Community Center: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, Tx 78681
  • Three topics will be provided to the registered participants 3 days before the event, for kids to prepare. Out of which, 1 topic will be picked up through a lot- process at the time of the event.
  • Essay writing contestants should submit their work on materials supplied by GAMA.
  • Contestants should bring their own writing accessories (pencil/pen/eraser)
  • Contestants will be provided scratch paper for drafting.
  • No reference material will be allowed.
  • All electronic devices should be switched off at the competition venue.
  • A maximum of 30 minutes will be provided to complete the work.
  • Completed work should be submitted to the invigilator present at the competition venue.
  • Contestants should not record his/ her name anywhere on the sheet.
  • A separate sheet will be provided to record the Tag number assigned to the contestant. This sheet should be stapled to the submitted work.

 

Rules for Story Writing in English (Junior Only)

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022
  • Time: Will be communicated closer to the event date
  • Venue: Brushy Creek Community Center: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, Tx 78681
  • Story writing contestants should submit their work on materials supplied by GAMA.
  • Three topics will be provided to the registered participants 3 days before the event, for kids to prepare. Out of which, 1 topic will be picked up through a lot- process at the time of the event.
  • Contestants should bring their own writing accessories (pencil/pen/eraser)
  • Contestants will be provided scratch paper for drafting.
  • No reference material will be allowed.
  • All electronic devices should be switched off at the competition venue.
  • A maximum of 30 minutes will be provided to complete the work.
  • Completed work should be submitted to the invigilator present at the competition venue.
  • Contestants should not record his/ her name anywhere on the sheet.
  • A separate sheet will be provided to record the Tag number assigned to the contestant. This sheet should be stapled to the submitted work.

 

Rules for Essay Writing in Malayalam

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022
  • Time: Will be communicated closer to the event date
  • Venue: Brushy Creek Community Center: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, Tx 78681
  • Topic for Malayalam Essay Writing is already published : “ Oru AvadhiKalam”
  • Essay writing contestants should submit their work on paper supplied by GAMA.
  • Contestants should bring their own writing accessories (pencil/pen/eraser)
  • Contestants will be provided scratch paper for drafting.
  • No reference material will be allowed.
  • All electronic devices should be switched off at the competition venue.
  • A maximum of 30 minutes will be provided to complete the work.
  • Completed work should be submitted to the invigilator present at the competition venue.
  • Contestants should not record his/ her name anywhere on the sheet.
  • A separate sheet will be provided to record the Tag number assigned to the contestant. This sheet should be stapled to the submitted work.

 

Rules for Story Writing in Malayalam (Intermediate Only)

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022
  • Time: Will be communicated closer to the event date
  • Venue: Brushy Creek Community Center: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, Tx 78681
  • Any topic can be picked up for Intermediate Malayalam Story Writing
  • Story writing contestants should submit their work on materials supplied by GAMA.
  • Contestants should bring their own writing accessories (pencil/pen/eraser)
  • Contestants will be provided scratch paper for drafting.
  • No reference material will be allowed.
  • All electronic devices should be switched off at the competition venue.
  • A maximum of 30 minutes will be provided to complete the work.
  • Completed work should be submitted to the invigilator present at the competition venue.
  • Contestants should not record his/ her name anywhere on the sheet.
  • A separate sheet will be provided to record the Tag number assigned to the contestant. This sheet should be stapled to the submitted work.

 

Rules for Story Telling in Malayalam (Junior & Intermediate Only)

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022
  • Time: Submit the entries by Mar 12, 6 PM
  • Venue: NA
  • Registered contestants should submit a story telling video not more than 3 minutes to [email protected].
  • Any topic can be picked up for story telling.
  • The video should be in presentable format. We do not encourage any kind of video editing.
  • The video should be loud and clear for the judges to evaluate.
  • Any video submitted beyond the last date for submission will be disqualified.

 

Rules for Pencil Drawing

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022
  • Time: Will be communicated closer to the event date
  • Venue: Brushy Creek Community Center: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, Tx 78681
  • Three topics will be provided to the registered participants 3 days before the event, for kids to prepare. Out of which, 1 topic will be picked up through a lot- process at the time of the event.
  • Contestants should bring lead pencil, sharpener, eraser and all necessary accessories.
  • Sketching/Drawing Paper will be provided by GAMA.
  • Coloring is not allowed for Pencil drawing.
  • A maximum of 45 minutes will be provided to complete the work.
  • Completed drawing should be submitted to the invigilator present at the competition venue.
  • Contestants should not record his/ her name anywhere on the sheet.
  • Only Tag number assigned to the contestant should be recorded on the back side of the paper.
  • All electronic devices should be switched off at the competition venue.
  • No tracing of any kind is allowed.

 

Rules for Painting

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022
  • Time: Will be communicated closer to the event date
  • Venue: Brushy Creek Community Centre: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, Tx 78681
  • Three topics will be provided to the registered participants 3 days before the event, for kids to prepare. Out of which, 1 topic will be picked up through a lot- process at the time of the event.
  • Contestants should bring necessary paint, brushes and tools for painting.
  • Contestants can use any coloring medium they are comfortable with (like water color, crayons etc.).
  • Paper will be provided by GAMA.
  • No reference material will be allowed.
  • A maximum of 45 minutes will be provided to complete the work.
  • Completed painting should be submitted to the invigilator present at the competition venue.
  • Contestants should not record his/ her name anywhere on the sheet.
  • Tag number assigned to the contestant should be recorded on the back side of the paper.
  • All electronic devices should be switched off at the competition venue.

 

Rules for Photography – Intermediate, Seniors 

  • Event Date: Mar 12, 2022.
  • Time: Will be communicated closer to the event date
  • Venue: Brushy Creek Community Center: 16318 Great Oaks Dr, Round Rock, Tx 78681
  • Photograph must be taken at the event location.
  • Photograph should be unique and original.
  • A topic/subject matter will be provided to the participants once they check-in.
  • Photograph can be taken using any camera including mobile devices
  • While using mobile devices photos in portrait mode will not be accepted.
  • Both color and black & white photos may be submitted. There is no separate competition for color and black & white photos.
  • Digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered photos will not be accepted. Minor adjustments, including spotting, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast and slight color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable.
  • If the judges determine that a photographer has altered his or her photo, they reserve the right to move the photo to Altered Images and disqualify it.
  • Photographs must be in a .jpeg, .jpg or heif formats.
  • Files submitted may not be larger than 25Mb.
  • Only one photo can be submitted by a contestant.
  • Altered Image is defined as: Photographs manipulated for artistic purposes by applying digital and/or traditional special effects (i.e. colorizing, toning, collage, photo composites, HDR, etc.).
  • Copyrighted photos/ images are not permitted.
  • Photos must be submitted to the organisers before the end of the event either via memory cards/flash drives or via email. Please send your entry to [email protected] “PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION – SENIORS” for the seniors and “PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION – INTERMEDIATE” for the intermediate categories before the close of the event along with the assigned tag number.
  • Email should include the title of the photo and may have a write up not exceeding 100 words about the photo.
  • Contestants should self-certify that the photo is original. Plagiarism in any form is not permitted.
  • It is the responsibility of the contestant to secure required permission of the required parties if models are used for the photo.
  • Adult Content, Content that advocates against an individual/group or organisation, Copyrighted Material, Drug/Alcohol and Tobacco-related contents are NOT permitted.

 

For any clarifications regarding the rules or events please email us at [email protected]