An ode to the sacred bells of dance: ‘Will always treasure the memory of putting on my first ghungroo as a kid'

Time of India

29-04-2025

Eminent dancers share their deep connection with ghungroos on International Dance Day. Madhuboni considers her ghungroo her spiritual champion. Sharmila's red ghungroos represent her dreams. Sutapa cherishes the ghungroos gifted by her guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Dona still keeps her first ghungroo gifted by her father. These dancers express gratitude and respect for these timeless symbols of dance.
Ghungroos
are more than accessories — they embody tradition, emotion, and growth. On
International Dance Day
, we spoke to eminent dancers about their first ghungroos. Here's a glimpse into their deep connection with this timeless symbol of dance.
They are my most loyal companion: Madhuboni
On the eve of my Arangetram — my very first public performance — my guru arranged a puja where my first ghungroo was placed at the feet of Lord Nataraja, after which I wore them. To me, my ghungroo is the most important part of my existence — my spiritual champion for life.
'I still have my first ghungroo which is thirty five years old. A new one has taken its place, but it's still special to me'
by Taboola
by Taboola
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–Madhuboni Chatterjee
They remind me of the little girl who dreamed of dance as her soul: Sharmila
I remember watching a production as a kid, where dancers wore red ghungroos, and I was mesmerised. It became my dream to one day wear those red ghungroos. To me, they represent my dreams and emotions.
'I used to wear a pair I bought myself, but these red ghungroos, which were a gift to myself, are truly priceless for me'
–
Sharmila Biswas
'I remember my heartbeat when I first wore ghungroos'
I can still recall the tiny bells as my father handed them to me in a bamboo bag, tied with a ribbon. It was a reward for winning first place thrice in a row at school. When I began studying Odissi, my guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra, gifted me a pair and I cherish that pair.
'My first pair and the ones gifted by my guru will always be close to my heart. They remind me of celebration and a spiritual connection I hold dear'
– Sutapa Talukdar
'My dad gifted me my first pair when I was just three years old'
I still keep my first ghungroo wrapped in muslin cloth in my almirah. After performances and rehearsals, I always offer my gratitude to the ghungroos, wiping them with a soft cloth and storing them gently.
'On my 18th birthday, my father gifted me another pair, and to this day, I wear them with love and respect. It is one of my greatest treasures'
– Dona Ganguly