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2001 www.kksongs.org
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Pung
Just as the khol is considered to be the supreme instrument of the
Bengal area, the pung is the primary instrument of
the Indian state of Manipur. It not only has a musical significance as a
accompanying drum, but there are many dances which feature pung
players dancing and playing simultaneously, known as “pung
cholom.”
Its construction
is similar to the khol, except there is not much
girth. The body is made of wood and the heads are made from goat skin. The dayan (treble) head is much bigger
than the khol to the extent that it sounds like a tabla dayan. The baya (bass) head is almost the same diameter as the dayan that it has higher pitched
bass than many traditional Indian instruments. In addition, the outer rim of
each head protrudes outwards more than many Indian drums. Both heads contain
the same iron syahi material that gives other instruments,
like the tabla and khol,
its distinctive sound.
Some Gaudiya Vaisnava instruments and
Bengali musicians occasionally use this drum in their kirtans.
UPDATED: March 12, 2012