Indian snake charmers are famous for their distinctive style and melodic music. They use various peculiar instruments to allure serpents.

The traditional instruments include pungi or been, bansuri, and dholak.

• Pungi or Been is an air instrument made from dried gourd and two reed pipes. It produces a piercing high-pitched sound that is said to mesmerize snakes.
• Bansuri is a bamboo flute with a soft tone, used in Indian classical music. When joined with the pungi, it adds depth to the performance.
• Dholak is a double-headed hand drum with a wooden body and pitched heads. It provides melody, rhythm, and tempo to the snake charmer’s show.

Altogether, these instruments create a singular, fascinating sound which has been an essential element of Indian culture for over a century.

Introduction to the Snake Charmers

India’s Snake Charmers have been impressing people for years. Through their music and instruments, they have become part of India’s culture. Young and old alike enjoy the entrancing performances.

Let’s explore the instruments and tunes of the Snake Charmers. Plus, we’ll look at how their history has changed over time.

History of snake charming in India

Snake charming is a centuries-old custom in India. It still amazes people globally. Snake charmers have the skill to mesmerize venomous snakes, using music and instruments.

They traditionally play the pungi, a wind instrument made from a dried gourd and two reed pipes, to create a specific tone that soothes the snakes. The been and shehnai are also used to produce a magical melody. Snake charmers perform with live cobras and pythons, which adds to the thrill and danger of their act.

Though snake charming has been criticized for its cruelty to snakes, it’s still a part of Indian culture. In modern times, laws were implemented to prevent animal cruelty, and snake charming became illegal in India.

Pro-tip: To experience the sound of the pungi, listen to Western instruments like the clarinet or saxophone.

Overview of the lifestyle of snake charmers

Snake charming is an ancient Indian practice. It involves playing music and certain instruments. The traditional community of snake charmers is called Saperas or Jogi Nath.

The Saperas use a variety of instruments. One is the pungi, or been or murli. It is a wind instrument made of a gourd and two reed pipes. It gives off a special sound that is believed to hypnotize snakes.

The dafli is a percussion instrument. It is held in one hand and the other hand holds the pungi. The khanjari is a small cymbal used to keep the beat.

The Saperas have a nomadic lifestyle. They travel to festivals, weddings or any gathering. They often catch snakes and use the venom for medicines and cures.

Significance of snakes in Indian culture

Snakes are a big part of Indian mythology and culture; they represent fertility, rebirth, and protection – as seen in Lord Shiva wearing a cobra around his neck. The Nag Panchami festival is dedicated to worshipping snakes.

In India, snake charming is a traditional form of entertainment. Snake charmers use musical instruments like the pungi (a gourd-based wind instrument) and the dafli (a percussion instrument) to lure and hypnotize snakes. The melodies mimic the sounds of the snake, creating a sense of familiarity and ease.

Unfortunately, snake charming is now illegal in many parts of India due to animal rights issues. To protect the welfare of snakes while preserving the cultural significance of snake charming, robotic snakes have been introduced as an alternate.

Fact: In India, cobras are highly esteemed and believed to bring good luck to those who respect them.

Instruments used by the Snake Charmers

India’s snake charmers have been using music to soothe snakes since ancient times. Drums, pipes, strings and wind instruments are the instruments of choice. Each sound is distinct, capable of producing various tones, beats and tunes.

Let’s examine the instruments utilized by the charmers!

The flute or been

The flute, or been, is the primary instrument of snake charmers in India. It’s made of a hollow wooden tube with holes, allowing one to finger it and produce different notes.

The traditionally used gourd is called the bottle gourd. It’s dried and de-seeded to create the hollow tube. Holes are burnt or drilled into it to make the right size and placement for each note.

Punjabi or Sapera Been music is used to charm the snakes. It features a mix of high and low notes rapidly played, creating a hypnotic effect on the snakes.

But, since 1991, the use of snakes in performances has been banned in India. Thus, snake charmers have adapted their skills to other musical performances.

The pungi or magudi

The pungi, also called magudi, is a wind instrument used by snake charmers in India. It has two reed pipes, one for melody and one for drone, and a gourd or clay pot as the resonance chamber.

To play it, the charmer blows air into the melody pipe and covers/uncovers finger holes to create notes. The drone pipe produces a constant sound.

The traditional style of music called the sapera been, made with the pungi, drums, and other percussion instruments, is often performed by snake charmers.

However, the use of the pungi has sparked criticism for its connection to animal exploitation. Some snake charmers have had to find different ways to make a living.

The dafli or the small drum

The dafli, a small drum, is used by Indian snake charmers during their shows. It creates a bright, sharp sound. It’s an essential part of the music.

The pungi, a wind instrument, also plays a part. It consists of two reeds and a hollow gourd. It makes a snakelike sound, believed to hypnotize the snakes.

Together, the dafli and pungi create the unique music of India’s cultural heritage that has been around for centuries.

Animal rights activists have criticized the use of snakes in these performances. As a result, some snake charmers have had to find other jobs. Many Indian states have even banned the practice.

The music of the Snake Charmers

The snake charmers of India use music to enthral their serpents. To create this traditional melody, they use special instruments such as the pungi, been and damru. Each instrument has its own unique sound and style. This combination creates an enchanting and captivating tune.

In this section, let’s explore the music of the snake charmers and the various instruments behind it.

Characteristics of snake charming music

Snake charming music is a traditional genre of sound. It’s usually connected to Indian snake charmers. This type of music is special due to its instruments and elements. They can make a person feel like they are in a mystic and amazing atmosphere.

The most popular instruments used include the pungi and the been. The pungi is made from a dried gourd and the been is crafted from bamboo or a coconut shell. It is believed that this music can make snakes hypnotized. However, this concept has been disproven.

Snake charmers also use vocalizations and hand motions when performing. This style of music has been passed down through many generations and is a big part of Indian folklore.

It has become famous due to Indian cinema, and has gained recognition worldwide.

The melodies used in snake charming music

The melodies for snake charming music come from Indian classical music. They have a unique sound, created with traditional instruments. The primary one is the pungi, also known as the been. It has two reed pipes of different lengths, played together. The music is high-pitched and continuous. It’s said to put the snake in a trance.

Other instruments are the dafli, a small drum, and the bansuri, a bamboo flute. Snake charming can be illegal in some places- But the music is still part of Indian culture.

Variations in style and performance of snake charming music in different regions of India

Snake charming music is a part of India’s cultural heritage. It has variations in style and performance across different regions. Its roots are in traditional folk music. A variety of instruments are used – such as the pungi, been and bansuri. Each instrument has its own sound and tonality. The choice depends on the region and the snake.

In Northern India, the pungi is used. It has two reed pipes and produces a hissing sound which is said to hypnotize the snake. In Southern India, the been is used. It is a wind instrument made of a gourd and emits a deep and resonant sound which is said to soothe the snake.

Mastering this music takes years of practice.

The role of Snake Charmers in Indian society

Snake Charmers are a big part of Indian culture. They perform with music and movement, making a special atmosphere. These performers also teach people about the importance of snakes in nature.

Let’s explore the music and instruments used by Snake Charmers.

The tradition of snake charming in India

For centuries, snake charming has been an integral part of Indian culture. Snake charmers are believed to have special powers to control the snakes they work with.

Instruments and music have a huge role in these performances. The pungi, a wind instrument made from a gourd, is used to produce a mesmerizing sound that hypnotizes the snake and entertains the audience. A dholak, a double-headed drum, is also used to add rhythm and depth to the music.

Unfortunately, the practice of snake charming has become illegal in India due to the mistreatment of snakes and the endangerment of snake species. However, it still holds a place in Indian folklore and stories.

How snake charmers use their music to charm and handle snakes

Snake charmers use music to captivate and control snakes, mainly using a gourd and two reed pipes instrument called a pungi. The pungi produces a low and droning sound, similar to a cobra’s hiss, which puts the snake into a tranquil state.

To create an eye-catching performance, charmers usually dance and dress in bright clothes.

It is illegal in India to capture and display snakes by charmers. This is to protect both wildlife and humans.

A tip: If you see a snake charmer, don’t support their act as it is cruel to animals and the environment. Instead, tell the authorities to prevent animal cruelty.

The decline of snake charmers in modern India

Snake charming, a traditional Indian art, is declining rapidly. Reasons include less demand for live performances and the Wildlife Protection Act. This Act stopped capture and possession of snakes.

Snake charmers were not just entertainers but also healers and aphrodisiac sellers. For centuries, they charmed venomous snakes with music and instruments such as pungi and been.

But now, recorded music has replaced live performances, leading to decreased income for snake charmers. The Wildlife Protection Act prevents them from getting their main attraction.

The government has tried to give snake charmers other jobs. However, the future of this art is uncertain. Support your local culture and tradition to keep it alive!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kinds of instruments are typically used by Indian snake charmers to play music?

Indian snake charmers traditionally use a variety of instruments to play their music, including the been (a type of long flute), the dafli (a small hand drum), and the dholak (a double-headed drum).

2. What kind of music do Indian snake charmers typically play?

Indian snake charmers typically play traditional folk music that is specific to their region. The music is often lively and upbeat, and may feature repetitive melodies and rhythms.

3. Why do Indian snake charmers play music?

Snake charmers play music as part of their performance to help capture the attention of their audience, which typically includes live snakes. The music is also believed to have a hypnotic effect on the snakes, helping them to become more docile and easier to handle.

4. Is snake charming still legal in India?

While snake charming is still practiced in some parts of India, it is largely illegal due to concerns about animal cruelty. Many snakes used by charmers are captured from the wild and kept in poor conditions, which can result in injuries and infections.

5. Have any famous musicians been inspired by Indian snake charmer music?

Yes, several famous musicians have drawn inspiration from the music of Indian snake charmers. One notable example is the British musician Sting, who incorporated elements of the been and other traditional Indian instruments into some of his songs.

6. What is the cultural significance of Indian snake charmer music?

Indian snake charmer music is an important part of the country’s rich cultural heritage, and reflects the diverse musical traditions that exist throughout India. The music has also been used in religious and spiritual contexts, such as during Hindu worship ceremonies.