
A snake charmer story class 5 notes explain the traditional lives of Kalbeliyas, a community famous for catching snakes. This chapter highlights the deep bond between humans and animals while discussing biodiversity and shifting livelihoods. You'll learn how these nomadic people used their unique musical skills and herbal medicine knowledge to help villagers before modern wildlife laws changed their world.
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The Kalbeliyas aren't just performers; they're a community with a rich heritage. We call them Saperas in local languages. For generations, they've passed down the art of catching snakes from grandfathers to grandsons. It's a way of life. Aryanath, the narrator in the chapter, shares how his grandfather, Roshan Nathji, was famous for catching many poisonous snakes with ease.
They don't see snakes as scary pests. Instead, they treat them like family or treasures. Did you know a snake charmer gifts snakes to his daughter at her wedding? It sounds strange, but it shows their respect for these creatures. They move from village to village with snakes kept in bamboo baskets. These people were the primary doctors for villagers because they knew exactly which plants could cure a snake bite.
When the Kalbeliyas arrived in a village, people gathered to watch their show. Even after the performance, folks stayed back. Why? Because the Saperas carried tins filled with medicines made from forest plants. In places where hospitals were far away, these snake charmers provided vital medical aid. In return, villagers gave them food grains or money. This simple barter system helped the community survive while providing entertainment and healthcare to remote areas.
Understanding snakes is vital for a Sapera’s survival. While most snakes aren't harmful, a few can be quite dangerous. The chapter teaches us that out of the many types found in India, only four are truly poisonous.
Fangs: Poisonous snakes have two hollow teeth called fangs. These act like needles to inject venom.
Poison Bag: The venom is stored in a special sac in the snake's head.
Markings: Saperas identify snakes by the marks left by their bites.
Hearing: Snakes don't have external ears. They feel vibrations on the ground to sense movement.
Movement: Most snakes move in a wavy, S-shaped pattern rather than a straight line.
If you look at the snake charmers story class 5 notes, you'll see four specific names. These are the Cobra (Nag), Common Krait, Russel’s Viper (Duboiya), and Saw-scaled Viper (Afai). The Cobra is perhaps the most famous. In many parts of India, people even use "Nag Gumphan" designs—patterns of snakes used in Rangoli and wall decor in Saurashtra and Gujarat.
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Music is the soul of a Kalbeliya performance. You've likely seen them playing a flute-like instrument that makes the snake "dance." It’s important to clarify a common myth here: snakes don't hear the music. They dance by following the movement of the instrument.
A traditional "Been Party" uses several unique instruments. Most of these are handmade from dried gourds (lauki). The main instruments include:
The Been: The primary woodwind instrument.
Tumba: Another melodic wind instrument.
Khanjiri: A type of percussion or tambourine.
Dhol: A drum, which is the only one not made from a dried gourd.
The Saperas use these to create rhythmic tunes that captivate audiences. Their dance moves even mimic the slithering motion of a snake, which is why the Kalbeliya dance is famous worldwide today.
When a snake bites, the venom enters the person's body through the hollow fangs. It’s a terrifying moment, but the Kalbeliyas knew the secrets of the forest. They could identify which snake bit a person just by looking at the wound. This allowed them to provide the right herbal remedy.
Today, we have anti-venom medicine. Interestingly, this medicine is actually made from the snake's own poison! You can find it in most government hospitals. Saperas used to remove the fangs or close the poison glands of the snakes they caught to ensure safety during shows, though they always maintained that they never treated the animals cruelly.
If you're looking for a type of snake 5 letters long, "Cobra" is the most prominent one mentioned in your syllabus. The Cobra, or Nag, is central to Indian folklore. Saperas call them "friends of farmers." You might wonder why. Snakes eat rats in the fields. Without snakes, rats would destroy all the crops. So, they play a vital part in the ecosystem's balance.
Life has changed for Aryanath and his family. The government passed a law stating that no one can catch or keep wild animals. This was done to stop people from killing snakes for their expensive skins. However, this law made life very hard for snake charmers. They lost their only source of income. Now, instead of catching snakes, they use their musical talents to perform and educate people about wildlife. We must realize that while the law protects animals, these communities need new ways to keep their beautiful culture alive.
To master this chapter, don't just memorize facts. Think about the relationship between humans and nature. Imagine you're a village child seeing a Sapera for the first time. Draw the four poisonous snakes and label their fangs. Practice identifying the instruments made from dried gourds. By connecting the stories of Aryanath to the scientific facts about snake venom, you'll find the a snake charmer story class 5 notes much easier to remember during your exams.
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