Instruments at the Museum

Pungi

The pungi is an instrument that is used in India for snake charming. The pungi is made from a dried bottle gourd. Two holes are made, one at the top and one at the bottom. A piece of reed, called the jivala, seven inches long with seven holes along its shaft, is fitted with beeswax to resemble a flute. This is then fitted tightly in the upper hole of the gourd. Closing the hole of the jivala will get a low tone; opening the holes of the jivala will get a high tone.