World Lindy Hop Day 2026: Inside Mumbai's thriving dance community that celebrates the dance form

An illustration of Texas Tommy dancers in The Salt Lake Tribune (1912). Pics courtesy/Wikimedia Commons

Nearly a century after it first emerged in Harlem, New York, Lindy Hop continues to find dancers across the world as communities celebrate World Lindy Hop Day on May 26. The day honours the birthday of Frankie Manning, an American dancer and choreographer widely regarded as one of the creators of Lindy Hop at Harlem's historic Savoy Ballroom.

Dancers perform the Swing Out or Breakaway, one of the defining steps of Lindy Hop. Pics courtesy/Slingshot Swing

As the dance form is deeply rooted in black Jazz traditions and African-American social dance cultures, Lindy Hop is known for its improvisation and fast footwork. The dance evolved alongside the rise of swing jazz music and drew from social dance traditions such as the Charleston, Ragtime, and Texas Tommy.

Josephine Baker performs the Charleston in the silent film, La Folie du Jour (1926). Pics courtesy/Wikipedia

According to Samuel Ribeiro and Prekshaa Pahuja, founders of Slingshot Swing, Mumbai's Lindy Hop scene dates back to around 2008, when Swiss instructor Malou Meyenhofer introduced the dance form through occasional classes and workshops. Ribeiro also mentioned how the community expanded between 2016 and 2023 through regular events and jazz socials.

Samuel Ribeiro and Prekshaa Pahuja

Although the pandemic temporarily disrupted the scene, the community has steadily rebuilt itself since 2021. "At this point, it's picked up quite a bit in the city to the point where we host dance socials pretty much every week with about 40 to 50 people on an average." emphasises Ribeiro.

Frankie Manning

At Ground Floor, Krishna Kunj Corner, Avanti Society, Santacruz West.
Call 9773099906
Log on to @slingshotswing

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Participants learn the basics of Lindy Hop at the studio

Pick up the fundamentals of Lindy Hop with Chaitanya Senapathi, a mathematician by day and dancer by night. Beginners are introduced to partner connection, core footwork, classic moves, foundational Lindy Hop techniques and the confidence to dance socially.
Log on to @urbanpro.com (for scheduling a class)
Call 9920252795

Hop, swing and repeat

Build a strong foundation with this beginner-friendly session designed to sharpen your technique and introduce the essentials of Lindy Hop in a structured format.
Log on to @lindyhopinmumbai
Call 9820261814 (for location and registration)

Lindy love

Step into the world of Lindy Hop through workshops at this Studio, which also offers training in Ballet, Contemporary, Bollywood and freestyle choreography.
At Tarang Studio, Khar Danda.
Log on to @tarangstudio
Call 9892392990