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PUNGI OR BIN

by David Courtney working tools

Pungi

Pungi or Bin is the snake charmer's instrument. In South India it is often called Magudi.



The word "Bin" has al­ways been somewhat problematic.  The term "bin" is a very com­mon cor­rup­tion of the Sanskrit word "Vina".  How­ever the term bin/vina implies a stringed instrument.  It is more likely that the term "Bin" is a cor­rup­tion of the Sanskrit "Venu" (i.e., bamboo) which would clearly place this instrument in the class shared by flutes.

The pungi is typically one to two feet in length.  It consists of two reeds or bamboo tubes.  One of which is for the melody and the other is for the drone.  These are at­ta­ched to a larger cavity made of gourd or coconut.  Inside of which are two reeds.  These reeds vibrate when air is passed over them.

 

Photo Gallery

Pungi Been or bin
Pung (Bin)
Hole on underside
Hole on underside
Opening for blowing
Opening for blowing
Joint bet­ween reeds and gourd
Joint bet­ween reeds and gourd
Open end
Open end

 

Selected Video

 

 

 

 

 

© 1998 - 2021 David and Chandrakantha Courtney

For comments, cor­rections, and sug­gestions, kindly contact David Courtney at [email protected]