The pungi, also called bīn or Murli, is a musical instrument from the Indian subcontinent. It has a container where air is blown and then directed into two reed pipes. The instrument is played continuously without pauses, as the player uses a special breathing technique called circular breathing. In street performances, the pungi is used to charm snakes.

History

The pungi is a type of reed pipe instrument used in Hindu folk music. It is often played by cobra charmers in Sindh and Rajasthan. The instrument is made from a dry, hollowed gourd with two bamboo pieces attached. It also has two reeds. In the Thar desert, the pungi is played by Jogi musicians.

Snake charmers, especially in the Terai region and Nepal, use the pungi to encourage snakes to move. The instrument produces a high, thin sound and a low, continuous hum.

The pungi has been an important part of Indian folk music for many years. It is called by different names in various parts of India. In northern India, it is known as the been, tumbi, and bansi. In southern India, it is called the magudi, mahudi, pungi, and pambaattikulhal.

Construction

The pungi is made from a solid coconut cover connected to pieces of bamboo. It has two parts: a hollow gourd and two pipes, each with a single reed called a jivala.

The player blows air through the top tube-like part of the instrument. One pipe makes a continuous, drone-like sound, and the other creates the melody. The melody pipe has seven holes and can play notes over a range of one octave. The drone pipe has only one hole. Traditionally, both sounds are played at the same time using a special breathing method called circular breathing to create a hypnotic effect.

The pungi is usually played alone because it is hard to play with other instruments.

The instrument was often used to entertain people during snake charming performances. However, this practice was banned nationwide in 1991 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.