In the age of urban loneliness, finding new connections and staying connected takes effort. But who says fun can’t be a part of connection as well? Whether you have decades of experience or two left feet, Delhi’s social dance scene is stripping away the formalities. Here, amateurs and seasoned dancers alike meet on level ground, proving that the best way to bridge the urban divide is one rhythmic step at a time.Combine dancing with community, and you get social dancing, a form of dance aimed at connecting and socialising. Whether it’s for the bug of curiosity or an attempt to connect with your partner, Latin dances like salsa, bachata, and tango are leading the social dance scene.
“Social dancing allows individuals to unwind, interact and build connections organically, making it both enjoyable and meaningful” says Ravi
‘A creative form of expression’“Tango is an improvisational dance, allowing great creativity and freedom of expression, which makes it a lot of fun. It doesn’t just look good, it feels good too,” says Saket Prakash, a tango dancer, who runs the community Tangoseeker. “Tango is gaining popularity in India for many of the same reasons it has won hearts around the world – for its passion, intensity, lyricism, and elegant beauty,” adds the tango instructor.Social dances allow people to unlock their potential and feel confident. Nikita Khosla, 24, a psychologist who recently started learning salsa, shares, “I was nervous at first but as I started going to classes regularly, I grew more comfortable with the people around me and realised that they were there to learn too.”
It is my space, free of worries and woes. I practice mindfulness through dance, it brings you to the here and now, where one should be
Nikita Khosla, 24, psychologist
‘More than just unwinding’Ravi Rastogi, founder of Moving Souls, adds that while it helps people unwind, their motivation to join is deeper. “Most of my students share that while they want to add a new skill to their lives, they also hope to meet new people. Dance brings a sense of fluidity that naturally builds confidence. It also helps them break monotony, express themselves more freely, and feel a deeper sense of connection, both with themselves and with others,” he says.Manasi Ajmani, founder of Delhi Bachata Company, shares why Latin dances are growing in popularity amongst Delhiites: “They are becoming popular for a mix of emotional, social, and lifestyle reasons, especially in urban cities like Delhi. They’re deeply social – unlike fitness classes, salsa and bachata create human connection. People meet, laugh, rotate partners, and feel part of something.”
The energetic salsa and the sensual bachata form a balance of movement and connection
‘A balance of movement and human connection’“Dance forms like salsa and bachata have gained popularity because they offer a perfect balance of movement and human connection,” says Ravi Rastogi, founder of Moving Souls, a Latin dance academy in south Delhi. Jijin Joseph, 23, who moved to Delhi for his master’s degree, notes how connecting with fellow dancers has helped. “I’ve always been in awe of performing artists. Having danced before, I came with enthusiasm but slowly learned how challenging social dance can be because you have to take care of your partner and synchronise with them while maintaining the flow of the dance.” He shares that it was out of his comfort zone to dance with women initially, but communication and practice make all the difference.
While social dance helps people unwind, their motivation to join is deeper
Talking about consent and physical proximity, Divieta Sahajwala, 32, a professional performer doing salsa and bachata for seven years, shares, “In social dance environments, people are respectful and safe. Teachers and organisers are very attentive about behaviour and make it clear that nonconsensual touch is a definite no. It also helps instill respect by desensitising people from looking at bodies as sexual objects.” Social dances enhance your ability to connect with people. “It fosters a healthy attitude towards partnership, communication and collaboration. It’s truly one of the best activities one can pick up,” she adds.
