Northern India, Kutch Region

Nath Jogi People 

Bamboo, gourd, wax, resin, metal, leather
Mid 20th century
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Reedpipes

The pungi is an important instrument in Indian folk culture and is known by various names in different parts of India.  Sometimes considered a double clarinet, it consists of two small cane (or bone) pipes, one a melody pipe with various finger holes and one a drone pipe that may or may not have holes.  The tops of these pipes are affixed into a bottle gourd (tumbda) with wax and resin.  Depending upon the region, and how musically developed they are in various areas, some have a wooden wind cap to blow into.  The performers use a technique called circular breathing (naksasi) consisting of breathing air in through the nose while simultaneously blowing out through the mouth.

This particular instrument is called a murli (murala), also known as bin (been or pungi), that is played in the Kutch region by the Nath Jogi people, a Hindu community found in North India.   It is an instrument used to accompany the Kalbeliya dances.  The quality of its sound encompasses the three basic musical elements of Indian music, drone, melody and rhythm.  This murli features a wide pipe at at the top, wrapped with a soft ornate metal (brass) bands.  Two reeds of kangore are fixed into the bottom two bamboo pipes called nadoti with honey bee wax and to the  gourd (tumbda) shell.  The performer taps the holes on the pair of narrow pipes on the end to create a mesmerizing sound.