Our Bureau
Columbus, OH
The Gujarati Mandal of Central Ohio (GMOCO), in collaboration with Gujarati organizations across the Midwest, proudly celebrated the successful conclusion of Rangtaali 2026 – Midwest Garba-Raas Championship, held on May 16, 2026, at Westerville North High School in Central Ohio.
The first-of-its-kind regional Gujarati folk dance championship brought together 18 talented teams from 6 Midwest cities — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis — to compete on one stage in a vibrant celebration of culture, youth, heritage, and community unity.
The event drew over 900 attendees from across the US Midwest and received an overwhelmingly positive response from participating cities, performers, choreographers, volunteers, families, and community leaders alike.
One of the most inspiring aspects of Rangtaali was the incredible age diversity among participants, ranging from 8 years old to 80 years old. From young children taking the stage for the very first time to seniors proudly celebrating traditions they have cherished for decades, Rangtaali truly embodied the spirit of a multigenerational community celebration.
The event was built for families, run entirely by volunteers, and powered by tradition.
GMOCO is honored to have received official recognitions from both the State of Ohio and the City of Columbus for hosting Rangtaali 2026 – Midwest Garba-Raas Championship. These proclamations recognize GMOCO’s leadership in promoting cultural diversity, empowering youth, preserving Gujarati heritage, and fostering regional unity by bringing together communities from across the Midwest through the shared celebration of Garba and Raas traditions.
Participants competed in Garba, Raas (Dandiya), and Fusion/Folk categories, showcasing extraordinary creativity, synchronization, costumes, musicality, and cultural storytelling. The championship atmosphere combined the excitement of competition with the warmth of Gujarati hospitality and togetherness.
Rangtaali proved to be a tremendous success because it fulfilled all three of its core objectives:
A Platform for Gujarati Youth
Rangtaali created a meaningful and inspiring stage for youth to connect deeply with Gujarati traditions through performance, teamwork, leadership, and artistic expression. The event empowered younger generations to proudly embrace their roots while building confidence and lifelong cultural connections. GMOCO’s youth group – YUVAConnect participated in the competition and announced a Summer Workshop Series at the Rangtaali event.
Regional Unity: Ohio+ Gujarati
The championship successfully united Gujarati organizations, families, performers, and volunteers across the Midwest under one shared cultural vision. GMOCO’s efforts to bring together multiple cities and associations demonstrated the growing strength and collaboration of the regional Gujarati community as Unity is Strength.
Preserving the Past. Empowering the Future.
Rangtaali celebrated Garba and Raas not merely as performances, but as living expressions of Gujarati identity, devotion, rhythm, and joy. By investing in cultural arts and intergenerational participation, the event ensured that Gujarati traditions continue to be lived, celebrated, and passed on for generations to come.
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 expressed heartfelt gratitude to the choreographers, participants, judges, volunteers, sponsors, partner organizations, and attendees whose dedication and support made Rangtaali possible.
As one of the largest Gujarati cultural stage events in the Midwest, Rangtaali 2026 has laid the foundation for a lasting regional tradition centered around culture, collaboration, and community pride.
About GMOCO
The Gujarati Mandal of Central Ohio (GMOCO), established in 1967, is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Gujarati heritage, language, arts, and community engagement in Central Ohio. Serving more than 1,000 families, GMOCO continues to foster cultural pride, unity, and intergenerational connection through educational, social, and traditional programming.
