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SRMIST Certificate in Music and Dance (Levels 1 to 8)
The SRMIST Certificate in Music/Dance is an 8-level, 40-credit university certificate in Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam, awarded by the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) in association with AIMA (Dr TVG’s Academy of Indian Music & Arts). It covers eight specializations, is open from age 7 with no upper age limit, and has exams twice a year, online or in person. Completing all 8 levels leads to a diploma. Students enrol through their music or dance school, institution or private teacher.
- Awarded by SRMIST
- 8 levels, 40 credits
- Diploma after Level 8
- 8 specializations
- From age 7
- Online or in-person exams
The certificate at a glance
| Awarded by | SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), a NAAC A++ accredited university |
|---|---|
| In association with | Dr TVG’s Academy of Indian Music & Arts (AIMA), which designed the curriculum |
| Structure | 8 levels in four modules (Starter, Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced), with a certificate at each level and a diploma after all 8 |
| Credits | 40 in total |
| Specializations | Carnatic vocal, veena, violin, flute, saxophone, keyboard, mridangam and Bharatanatyam |
| Eligibility | Age 7 or older; no upper age limit; no educational qualification required |
| Duration | Regular track 8 years; fast track about 5 years |
| Exams | Two assessment windows a year, online or in person |
| Registration | December to January for the July exam; June to July for the January exam |
| How to enrol | Through a music or dance school, educational institution or private teacher |
| Fees and syllabus | Fees on enquiry. Full syllabus (PDF) |
| Contact | infosrmist@tvgaima.com or WhatsApp +91 82481 26714 |
What is the SRMIST Certificate in Music/Dance?
It is a structured, credit-based pathway in South Indian classical music and Bharatanatyam that takes a student from a first lesson to concert readiness. SRMIST, a NAAC A++ accredited university, awards the certificates. AIMA, founded in 1974 by Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, designed the curriculum.
Every level combines practical training with theory, so students learn to perform and also understand ragas, talas, musical forms and the history of the art. Alongside the classical repertoire, the syllabus includes devotional, folk, patriotic and film music, so students learn the range of music they will hear and perform.
The 8 levels, credits and prerequisites
The 8 levels are grouped into four modules. Levels 1 to 4 have no prerequisite, so a student with prior training can enrol directly at a higher level. From Level 5 onward, each level requires the certificate for the level before it.
Eight specializations in music and dance
Choose from seven music specializations and one dance specialization. Here is where each one starts and where it leads. The full syllabus lists the content of every level.
Carnatic vocal
Course codes CMV-101 to CMV-402
- Level 1
- Sarali varisais in Adi talam, geethams, nottuswarams, devotional and patriotic songs, and the saptaswaras
- Level 8
- Manodharma (raga alapana and kalpana swaram), concert-standard kritis, a pada varnam and a 30 to 60 minute concert
Veena
Course codes VE-101 to VE-402
- Level 1
- Sarali varisais, geethams, nottuswarams, and the structure and parts of the veena
- Level 8
- Manodharma, a pada varnam, concert-standard kritis, tone and endurance training, and a 30 to 60 minute concert
Violin
Course codes VL-101 to VL-402
- Level 1
- Sarali varisais, geethams, nottuswarams, and the structure and parts of the violin
- Level 8
- Accompaniment techniques (Level 7), manodharma, tone and endurance training, and a 30 to 60 minute concert
Flute
Course codes FT-101 to FT-402
- Level 1
- Sarali varisais in Harikamboji, geethams, nottuswarams, and the structure and parts of the flute
- Level 8
- Manodharma, concert-standard kritis and a 30 to 60 minute concert
Saxophone
Course codes SX-101 to SX-402
- Level 1
- Assembling and holding the instrument, mouthpiece placement, fingering, and sarali varisais
- Level 8
- Advanced tone and endurance, manodharma, performance simulation and a 30 to 60 minute concert
Keyboard
Course codes KB-101 to KB-402
- Level 1
- Sarali varisais, rhymes, Indian children’s songs and film melodies, and the parts of the keyboard
- Level 8
- Two-hand coordination, improvisation, arrangement and orchestration, manodharma, and a 45 to 60 minute concert
Mridangam
Course codes MG-101 to MG-402
- Level 1
- Sitting posture, hand placement, the basic strokes (tha, di, thom, nam) and Adi and Rupaka talams
- Level 8
- Concert accompaniment, professional tuning, and a 20 to 30 minute thani avarthanam in two talams
Bharatanatyam
Course codes BN-101 to BN-402
- Level 1
- Body conditioning, aramandi, thattadavu and nattadavu, namaskaram, and a folk dance
- Level 8
- Basic choreography, advanced abhinaya, a tillana and Thiruppugazh or Devaranama
| Level | Name | Recommended age or class | Prerequisite | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | ||||
| 1 | Beginner | 7 years or Std 1 | None | 4 |
| 2 | Basic | 8 years or Std 2 | None | 4 |
| Foundation | ||||
| 3 | Sub-junior | 9 years or Std 3 | None | 4 |
| 4 | Junior | 10 years or Std 4 | None | 4 |
| Intermediate | ||||
| 5 | Super-junior | 11 years or Std 5 | Level 4 certificate | 6 |
| 6 | Sub-senior | 12 years or Std 6 | Level 5 certificate | 6 |
| Advanced | ||||
| 7 | Senior | 13 years or Std 7 | Level 6 certificate | 6 |
| 8 | Super-senior | 14 years or Std 8 | Level 7 certificate | 6 |
| All 8 levels: diploma | 40 | |||
What each level includes and how it is assessed
- Practical work: technique and repertoire, building to manodharma (improvisation) in the higher levels
- Theory: ragas, talas, musical forms, instruments, composers and the history of the art
- Assignments: at several levels, theory topics can be submitted as assignments
- Written theory exam: at Levels 7 and 8
- Concert presentation: at Level 8, a full concert (a thani avarthanam for mridangam)
- Exam mode: online or in person
Exam dates, registration and enrolment rules
July exam
- Registration
- December to January
- Exam
- July
January exam
- Registration
- June to July
- Exam
- January
Exact schedules are announced after registration closes.
Students can
- Enrol for one level per specialization in each exam cycle
- Enrol in more than one specialization in the same cycle, with a separate registration for each
- Take the next level in the following assessment window
- Reappear in a later cycle if you do not pass
- Take a break of up to 3 years between levels; after a longer gap, take an eligibility assessment first
Regular track or fast track
| Regular track | Fast track | |
|---|---|---|
| Total time | 8 years | About 5 years |
| Levels 1 to 6 | One level a year | One level every 6 months (3 years) |
| Levels 7 and 8 | One level a year | About a year each |
| Suits | Most students, especially young children | Older or experienced students who can practise more |
Who it’s for and how to enrol
Who it’s for
- Music and dance students who want a structured, recognised record of their progress
- Students aiming for a professional certification
- Adults returning to music or dance
- Arts institutions that want to offer their students a university certificate
How to enrol
Students enrol through a music or dance school, an educational institution or a private teacher. The certificate is open to students of any academy, not only AIMA’s, and structured training before the exam is encouraged.
Academies and private teachers: to register your institute or students, write to infosrmist@tvgaima.com during the registration window.
Prepare for the certificate at AIMA
AIMA trains students for the certificate at four Chennai campuses (Thoraipakkam, Pallikaranai, Velachery and Sholinganallur) and live online, one-to-one or in groups. AIMA’s vocal course has 8 levels that match the 8 certificate levels. Every AIMA student begins with a free trial class, and AIMA registers its students for the exams.
SRMIST Certificate in Music/Dance FAQs
What is the SRMIST Certificate in Music/Dance?
It is an 8-level, 40-credit university certificate in Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam, awarded by the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) in association with AIMA. Each level ends in an exam and a certificate, and completing all 8 levels leads to a diploma.
Which specializations are offered?
Eight: Carnatic vocal, veena, violin, flute, saxophone, keyboard, mridangam and Bharatanatyam.
Who can apply, and what is the age limit?
Anyone aged 7 or older. There is no upper age limit and no educational qualification is required. Each level also has a recommended age, from 7 years for Level 1 to 14 years for Level 8.
Can adults take the SRMIST music and dance exams?
Yes. There is no upper age limit, so adults can enrol at any level they are eligible for.
How many credits does the program carry?
40 credits in total: 4 credits each for Levels 1 to 4 and 6 credits each for Levels 5 to 8.
Do I have to start at Level 1?
No. Levels 1 to 4 have no prerequisite, so you can enrol directly at any of them. Levels 5 to 8 each require the certificate for the previous level. Level certificates from other universities with similar programs are accepted if they were passed with more than 70% marks.
How long does it take to complete all 8 levels?
On the regular track it takes 8 years, one level a year. On the fast track it takes about 5 years: Levels 1 to 6 in 3 years, one level every 6 months, then about a year each for Levels 7 and 8.
When are the exams held, and when is registration?
There are two assessment windows a year. Registration for the July exam is open in December and January, and registration for the January exam is open in June and July. Exact schedules are announced after registration closes.
Are the exams online or in person?
Both. You can take the exams online or in person.
How do students enrol?
Students enrol through a music or dance school, an educational institution or a private teacher. Academies and teachers who want to register their students can write to infosrmist@tvgaima.com.
Can students from other music academies take these exams?
Yes. The certificate is open to students of any academy, institution or private teacher, not only AIMA’s. Write to infosrmist@tvgaima.com to register.
Can I take more than one specialization at a time?
Yes. You can enrol in several specializations in the same exam cycle, with a separate registration for each, but only one level per specialization per cycle.
What if I fail a level or take a break?
You can reappear in a later exam cycle. You can take a break of up to 3 years between levels. After a longer gap, you take an eligibility assessment before enrolling for the next level.
What is assessed at each level?
Each level has practical work and theory. Some theory topics can be submitted as assignments, Levels 7 and 8 include a written theory exam, and Level 8 includes a concert presentation.
Where can I get the syllabus and fees?
The full syllabus is available as a PDF on this page. For fees, the admission process and dates, fill in the enquiry form or write to infosrmist@tvgaima.com.
Does AIMA train students for these exams?
Yes. AIMA designed the curriculum and trains students at its four Chennai campuses (Thoraipakkam, Pallikaranai, Velachery and Sholinganallur) and live online. AIMA students begin with a free trial class.
Last updated: October 2026
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Get the syllabus, fees and dates
Fill in the enquiry form for the curriculum, fees, admission process and important dates, or write to infosrmist@tvgaima.com.
AIMA
Dr TVG's Academy of Indian Music & Arts
Founded in 1974 as the Chembai Memorial Music Center and renamed the Academy of Indian Music & Arts in 1984. A charitable trust, 80G, FCRA and CSR registered.
Campuses
Thoraipakkam
Kriyates Complex, 361, Madha Koil St, Vivekananda Nagar, Thoraipakkam, Chennai 600097
+91 95662 03821
Pallikaranai
323-B, Kamakoti Nagar, 1st Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100
+91 89392 26222
Velachery
Cambridge Montessori Pre-School and Daycare, 6, 4th Main Rd, Vijaya Nagar, Velachery, Chennai 600042
+91 95662 03821
Sholinganallur
Clubhouse, TNHB 1500 Flats, TNHB Main Rd, Sholinganallur, Chennai 600119
+91 95662 03821
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