Instruments at the Museum

Ghungroo

A ghungroo is one of many small metallic bells strung together to form ghungroos, a musical accessory 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; a string of ghungroos can range from 50 to more than 200 bells knotted together.