The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.35

c11.35

The little ankle bells used by Nautch dancers are called Gūnguru or Gajelu, and are tied in strings round the ankles. They produce “a faint clashing sound as the feet move in steps, which mingles not unmusically with the dance music or songs which accompany the dance; and they not only serve to mark the time, but to keep the dancer or singer in perfect accord with the musicians. These bells are the symbols of their profession with all dancers and singers, and to some extent are held sacred. No dancer ties them on his or her ankles before performance without touching his or her forehead and eyes with them, and saying a short prayer or invocation to a patron saint or divinity—Hindu or Mahomedan. Nor is it possible, after a female singer or dancer has once been invested with them—a ceremony which is very solemnly performed and attended with much cost—to abandon the professional life so adopted. He, or she, has tied on the bells, is even a proverb to signify that the person alluded to has devoted himself or herself to a purpose from which it is impossible to recede. Strings of these small bells are also used for horses and tied round the fetlocks of prancing chargers, with gay tinsel ribbons or pieces of cloth; also round the necks of lap dogs; and some of a large size round the necks of favourite plough or cart bullocks. The latter are identical with sleigh bells. No post runner in India travels without a string of them tied on the end of his pole on which is slung the leather bag he carries, and on a still night their clashing sound, besides being heard at a great distance, serves to scare away wild beasts and to cheer the runner on his lonely path.”⁸