Midwest Garba-Raas Championship

Registration Rules

Competition Categories

The Gujarati Folkdance Competition will feature three categories, open to all age groups:

• Garba – honoring circular formations, rhythm, devotion, and grace
• Raas (Dandiya) – showcasing energy, synchronization, and musicality
• Fusion/ Folk – blending creativity with cultural roots (within traditional bounds)

Rangtaali Registration

Age Groups

• Elementary
• Middle School
• High School/ College
• Adults
• Seniors
• “Groups of 8 participants may include up to 1 individual outside the designated grade level. Groups of 9–16 participants may include up to 2 individuals outside the designated grade level.”

Rules- Competition Entries:

• Registration fee for teams $51
• No Registration fees for teams representing non-profit organizations 
• All participants will pay for their individual ticket to the event
• An individual cannot participate in more than one team or in another category 
• An organization\choreographer cannot register more than one team in the same category and age group 
• Separate registration is required for each entry 
• A team may register without the final list of participants. However, the participant list must be finalized and submitted by Feb 28 2026.
• Minimum number of participants is 8; maximum number 16
• A participant, manager, choreographer, or director in a competitive team must not be involved in the management of the competition, judging, or trophy distribution
• A minimum of four (4) minutes and a maximum of six (6) minutes per entry will be strictly enforced. There will be a penalty of 10 points for every 10 seconds under 4 minutes and over 6 minutes for all categories.
• A maximum of two individuals (above 16 participants) may be incorporated as human or moving props. These individuals will not participate in the choreography and will not be evaluated on dance performance.
• The selected song(s) must be in the Gujarati language or be about Gujarat.
• Song selections must be submitted with Registration.
• Registration closes on Feb 28 2026
• Song Track must be submitted by April 30th
• No special request will be entertained

Judging Criteria

1. Opening = 5
2. Steps / Choreography = 30
3. Action / Expression = 20
4. Costume = 10
5. Coordination / Synchronization = 10
6. Lyrics Selection / Appropriateness = 10
7. Innovation / Originality = 10
8. Finale = 5
   

Total = 100