On November 21, 2009, the GW South Asian Society, a non-profit student-run organization of The George Washington University, will host their ninth Raas Chaos competition on GWU’s campus, located in the heart of our nation’s capital. Winners of Raas Chaos 2009 will receive a bid to Raas All Stars: National Championships. Proceeds made from the show will go to benefit READ Global, helping to enahnce development in rural villages of India, Nepal, Bhutan.

The first ever Raas Chaos was held in the fall of 2001 on GWU’s campus. Ever since then, along with the help of many generous sponsors, this event has grown to become one of the largest intercollegiate Garba/Raas competitions in the country. It has attracted colleges and universities from across the continent to compete for a grand prize and a prestigious title of Raas Chaos Champions. In the past, schools such as Rutgers University, Tufts University, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, New York University, and Columbia University have competed.

Garba/Raas is an Indian form of traditional dance that originated in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is an ancient dance that honors the Goddess Amba at the annual festival of nine nights called “Navaratri.” It is a dance that is performed in two circles formed by men and women that move in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions with two sticks called dandiyas held in their hands. This dance is a very energetic, colorful, and playful. However, Raas Chaos focuses not only on exhibiting the values and expressions of this form of dance, but also in promoting cultural awareness.

Congratulations to all the 2008 winners!
1st Place: Penn State
2nd Place: George Washington University
3rd Place: Columbia University