From Children to seniors, Midwest Gujarati families keep folk dance traditions alive in Ohio

Highlights:

• 18 teams participated from six Midwest cities.
• More than 900 people attended the event.
• Participants ranged in age from 8 to 80 years old.
• Event featured Garba, Raas, and Fusion/Folk categories.
• GMOCO received recognition from Ohio and Columbus.

Rangtaali 2026, the Midwest Garba-Raas Championship, ended successfully on May 16, 2026, in Central Ohio. The event was organized by the Gujarati Mandal of Central Ohio (GMOCO) with support from Gujarati organizations across the Midwest. It took place at Westerville North High School.

The event was the first regional Gujarati folk dance championship of its kind in the Midwest. It brought together 18 teams from six cities. The participating cities were Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

More than 900 people attended the event from across the Midwest. Organizers said the response was very positive from performers, choreographers, volunteers, families, and community leaders.

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One of the special parts of Rangtaali 2026 was the wide age range of participants. The youngest participants were 8 years old, while the oldest were 80 years old. Children performed on stage for the first time, while seniors proudly celebrated traditions they have followed for many years. The event reflected the spirit of a multigenerational community celebration.

The championship was organized for families and run entirely by volunteers. Organizers said the event was powered by tradition and community support.

GMOCO also received official recognition from the State of Ohio and the City of Columbus for hosting the championship. The recognitions honored GMOCO’s work in supporting cultural diversity, youth empowerment, Gujarati heritage, and regional unity through Garba and Raas traditions.

Teams competed in Garba, Raas (Dandiya), and Fusion/Folk dance categories. Participants displayed creativity, teamwork, costumes, music, and cultural storytelling during their performances. The event combined competition with Gujarati hospitality and togetherness.

Organizers said the event achieved its three main goals.

The first goal was to create a platform for Gujarati youth. Rangtaali gave young people a chance to connect with Gujarati traditions through dance, teamwork, leadership, and artistic expression. Organizers said the event helped younger generations feel proud of their cultural roots. GMOCO’s youth group, YUVAConnect, also participated in the competition and announced a Summer Workshop Series during the event.

The second goal was regional unity. The championship brought together Gujarati organizations, families, performers, and volunteers from across the Midwest. GMOCO said the event showed the growing unity and cooperation within the regional Gujarati community.

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“એકતામા શક્તિ છે — Unity is Strength.”

The third goal was preserving traditions while supporting future generations. Organizers said Garba and Raas are not only performances, but also expressions of Gujarati identity, devotion, rhythm, and joy. They said the event helped ensure these traditions continue for future generations.

“This is a great initiative by GMOCO to bring together the Gujarati community in the Midwest to celebrate our culture, our traditions, our folk dances, and provide this amazing platform for our children, youth, and adults,” said Rupam Chokshi, current trustee and former president of GMOCO.

GMOCO thanked choreographers, participants, judges, volunteers, sponsors, partner organizations, and attendees for supporting the event.

Organizers said Rangtaali 2026 has created a strong foundation for a long-term regional tradition focused on culture, collaboration, and community pride.