Its amazing that its globally such a famous professions/act, but mainly confined to Indian sub continent. Only other known example is probably ancient Egypt.
How many of you have seen the act? We used to have snake charmers come to our neighborhood very often and all the kids loved to wtach the show. Now, at least in urban Pakistan, the art and artists are vanishing very fast.
Anyone who has seen it recently?: would love to hear from you.
Re: Snake Charmers
Main Teri dushman.....lalala
Re: Snake Charmers
Main Teri dushman.....lalala
Ok, thanks for the clarification. Now can we go back to the topic.
Re: Snake Charmers
I saw that in childhood, but the snake charmers are even not seen in most of rural areas of Pakistan too.
I heard that dancing of snakes on been tones (Main teri dushman / Tann to pe waaroon) is fake, because snakes can't hear and they move in the direction of been.
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Is it because the skill does not pay enough? or is it like every other street act (remember the guy who used to balance a very long pole on his head at there was a Matkaa balanced on top of that pole), its just disappearing because of TV and Computer influx?
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they are very common in India...i bet you will see one performing near a train/bus stations and on a very busy touristy street corner. during my childhood in my village, if a snake is spotted in the house, folks would call a snake charmer to come and extricate the snake. they would take it with them if it was a cobra and later use it in their shows.
i once spotted a cobra in my house hiding between the Ghusl Khaana door and the wall...my brother shot the snake with a 12-bore gun...his head got blown up...we call 'jamaa daarin' to clean the mess up...all this happened in the early hours of the night. i can't forget that snake ever!
Re: Snake Charmers
I saw that in childhood, but the snake charmers are even not seen in most of rural areas of Pakistan too.
I heard that dancing of snakes on been tones (Main teri dushman / Tann to pe waaroon) is fake, because snakes can't hear and they move in the direction of been.
aren't snakes super sensitive to vibration ?
Re: Snake Charmers
they are very common in India...i bet you will see one performing near a train/bus stations and on a very busy touristy street corner. during my childhood in my village, if a snake is spotted in the house, folks would call a snake charmer to come and extricate the snake. they would take it with them if it was a cobra and later use it in their shows.
i once spotted a cobra in my house hiding between the Ghusl Khaana door and the wall...my brother shot the snake with a 12-bore gun...his head got blown up...we call 'jamaa daarin' to clean the mess up...all this happened in the early hours of the night. i can't forget that snake ever!
That must be scary living where cobras could crawl in your house
aren't snakes super sensitive to vibration ?
They are but not through air.
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Yes the profession was never beneficial compared to other like arts. It was mostly carried out from generation to generation in faqeeer/sadhoo people. I think rapid urbanisation also affected snake population.
Seeing the politician and their stunts, I now believe on the myth of Sheesh naag.
Re: Snake Charmers
they are very common in India...i bet you will see one performing near a train/bus stations and on a very busy touristy street corner. during my childhood in my village, if a snake is spotted in the house, folks would call a snake charmer to come and extricate the snake. they would take it with them if it was a cobra and later use it in their shows.
i once spotted a cobra in my house hiding between the Ghusl Khaana door and the wall...my brother shot the snake with a 12-bore gun...his head got blown up...we call 'jamaa daarin' to clean the mess up...all this happened in the early hours of the night. i can't forget that snake ever!
My Dadi used to say that Jinnat comes in shape of snakes and their forefathers when saw a snake, they ask it to leave for 3 times. If it didn't move, they used to kill it.
Re: Snake Charmers
It is possible to handle a snake without using been. Check out Steve backshell's videos on yt.
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not really…you get used to it…it was more scary during monsoon season because non poisnous snakes come out during that time hiding in tall grasses.
i had another encounter with a cobra but that was a bit embarrassing and odd so i wouldn’t give more detail here…lol 
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My Dadi used to say that Jinnat comes in shape of snakes and their forefathers when saw a snake, they ask it to leave for 3 times. If it didn't move, they used to kill it.
There were two other stories (kind of linked to each other) I heard. If/when you kill a snake, you have to chop the head or he will preserve the image of his killer in his eyes. His female will come and see that image and will hunt and kill the killer. Another twist of that story was that when you kill a male snake, you have to find his female partner and kill her too.
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Re: Snake Charmers
It is possible to handle a snake without using been. Check out Steve backshell's videos on yt.
I know I mess with them with a long stick :D
Re: Snake Charmers
It is possible to handle a snake without using been. Check out Steve backshell's videos on yt.
Oh yes I am sure. In fact I think that been should be the last thing you should use to handle the snake :D
Re: Snake Charmers
Reena Rai as Nagin
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Is it true if you kill a male snake his female counterpart would come looking for revenge and sting you in your sleep? Similar thing happened in Dharam Veer, isn't it?
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Ek nukte de wich gal mukdi nai :)
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Ok honestly you guys watch too many indian movies. I dont know anything about what you guys said.