I'm a Dancer !
...And I love my Ghungaroo
Indian classical dance is a varied form of art and has numerous styles
to boast of. The different styles of dancing broadly pertain to the
different geographic regions in the country. Each one of them proudly
presents its own style, rhythm, grace and costume. Irrespective of these
differences, most Indian classical dances have one thing in common – the
“Ghungroo” or the ankle bells that are tied
around the ankle of the Indian dancers. The ghungroo (ankle bell) is
considered very special and are regarded with great respect by the
Indian classical dancers. It is regarded as an inseparable part of the
Indian classical dancing tradition for many forms of Indian classical
dance such as the Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, etc.
A ghungroo is one of many small metallic bells strung together to form
ghungroos, a musical anklet tied to the feet of classical Indian
dancers. The sounds produced by ghungroos vary greatly in pitch
depending on their metallic composition and size. Ghungroos serve to
accentuate the rhythmic aspects of the dance and allow complex footwork
to be heard by the audience. They are worn immediately above the ankle,
resting on the lateral malleolus and medial malleolus. A string of
ghungroos can range from 50 to greater than 200 bells knotted together.
A novice child dancer may start with 50 and slowly add more as he or she
grows older and advances in his or her technical ability.
📜 Learn more about the importance of ghungaroo in a dancer's life.