Mumbai To New York: Meet The ‘Ghagra’ Boy Jainil Mehta

Twirling and swaying in a ghagra (traditional Indian skirt) on the streets of New York on Indian songs, Jainil Mehta’s distinctive style has become a hallmark of his performances and has helped him stand out in the dance community. By incorporating ghagras into his dance routines, Jainil challenges traditional gender norms and showcases the fluidity and inclusivity of dance as an art form.

His Journey from Mumbai to New York

Jainil Mehta, hailing from Mumbai, India, has been dancing since he was five years old, turning his passion into his profession. He found solace in dancing, using it as a powerful means of self-expression. Today, Jainil is a professional dancer and choreographer based in New York City.

Jainil completed his BFA in Dance at the University of Southern California, graduating Summa Cum Laude with the Discovery Scholars Distinction. He trained at Shiamak Davar International in Mumbai for thirteen years, honing his skills in various dance forms, including contemporary dance, ballet, hip hop, jazz, Indian folk, and Indian classical.

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He has learned and performed works by respected choreographers such as William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Jodie Gates, and others. Jainil’s impressive portfolio includes choreographing music videos for artists like Big Wild’s “6’s to 9’s” and Falguni Pathak’s “Jode Rahejo Raaj.”

In addition to his choreographic work, Jainil has taught dance classes both online and in-person across India and internationally. His confidence and courage to break gender stereotypes within the Indian community have earned him features in the national press, including BBC News, Good Morning America, India Times, Brut India, and many more.

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How wearing a skirt became his trademark

Apparently, at the age of 8, Jainil would steal his mom’s skirt, wear it, and dance on Maiya Yashoda. He was sky as a kid but performing on stage gave him confidence and security and helped him reflect and introspect. After college, he revived his love for wearing skirts in 2021 and started putting videos on social media platforms. He gained immense popularity with #meninskirts trend when people started noticing him and his art. Today, Jainil has found himself a big fan following and people roll their cameras seeing Jainil dancing in ghagra.

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A post shared by Jainil Mehta (@jainil_dreamtodance)

His bold fashion choices have garnered widespread attention and praise, making him a role model for many aspiring dancers and fashion enthusiasts. His work promotes inclusivity and elf-expression, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique identities and challenge societal norms.