By: Jayanti Oza

About 800 members of the Chicago-area Gujarati community gathered at Haridham Temple in Schaumburg on September 7, for Gujarat Rangotsav, an evening celebrating Gujarati literature, poetry, music and performing arts.

The event was jointly organized by the Art Circle of Chicago, Manpasand Inc. and Bharatiya Seniors. The program opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony attended by Bhavnaben Modi of Manpasand Inc., Haribhai Patel of Bharatiya Seniors and guests from India, Dr. Raish Maniar and Isani-ben.

Maniar, who traveled from India for the event, hosted the program, combining literary commentary with humor and audience interaction.

One of the evening’s highlights was the release of a collection featuring the complete poetic works of Chandrakant Shah, popularly known as “Chandu.” The book was released by Bhavna Modi, Isani Shah, Dr. Raish Maniar and Chandrakant Topiwala.

The cultural program featured Gujarati folk songs, poetry recitations and shayaris. Visiting artists from India, including singer Ujjwal Shukla, Kosha Pandya and Maniar, contributed to the evening’s musical and literary presentations.

The gathering brought together Gujarati families, seniors and literature enthusiasts and provided a platform to experience and preserve the language’s literary and performing arts traditions.

At the close of the program, Dr. Ashraf Dabawala and Dr. Madhumati Mehta of the Art Circle of Chicago thanked the performers, guests, organizers and community members for their participation.