

This is because fast and/or repetitive turns cause the skirt portion of the outfit to flare out, thus revealing the ghungroos worn below. It matches beautifully with the traditional Kathak outfits like the Anarkali salwar kameez and the lehenga choli and are wonderfully displayed when the dancer takes the characteristic twirls and turns.

Many dancers wear a large set of ghungroos reaching till the knees to showcase their proficiency and add layers of beautiful sound to their performance. For instance, in Kathak, ghungroo anklets complete the dancers’ attire and accentuate their costume as well as their movements. The sounds produced by this distinctive ethnic accessory will vary depending on the metallic components of the jewelry and its size.Īlso called the pag ghungroo in north Indian culture as it is solely worn on the feet (‘pag’), this dance accessory is significant not only in terms of the sounds but also in terms of the look. This is because it takes practice and a good amount of skill to be able to carry off a heavy set of ghungroos whilst performing complicated dances. While a beginning dancer need not wear more than 50 ghungroos, more experienced dancers are expected to wear more the senior most dancers wear 200 or more bells per foot. Ghungroos are made by stringing these tiny bells on a strong thread or rope or sticking them on to thick material like leather. a metallic globe about 2 cm in diameter with a tiny ball of metal within it to produce a tinkling bell like sound when movement occurs.

There is a difference between a ghungroo and ghungroos. The ghungroo produces a pleasing tinkling sound which is the perfect musical adornment for the complex yet fluid movements that are characteristic of Indian dance. Indian classical dancers (as well as classical dancers from other parts of the Indian subcontinent) are required to wear ghungroos in order to ensure the audience can identify and appreciate the complex footwork that goes into the dance. Ghungroos are a traditional and crucial part of many different Indian classical dances, including Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi and Kuchipudi.

The ghungroo is a type of musical ankletthat is tied around the calves of dancers in India in order to intensify the rhythmic acoustics of the feet.
