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A Snake Charmer's Story Class 5 EVS Chapter 2 CBSE Notes

A Snake Charmer’s Story Class 5 EVS Chapter 2 explains the traditional life of the Kalbeliyas, a community known for catching snakes and living close to nature. The chapter highlights their bond with animals, knowledge of herbal medicines, and musical skills. It also discusses biodiversity, changing livelihoods, and how wildlife protection laws affected their way of life, helping students understand respect for nature and people.
authorImageNivedita Dar10 Jan, 2026
A Snake Charmer's Story

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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Who are Snake Charmer Class 5 Students Need to Know?

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.

Daily Life and Village Connections

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.

5 Characteristics of Snake and Identifying Marks

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.

Key Features to Remember:

  • 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.

The Four Poisonous Snakes of India

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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What is Snake Charmer Instrument and How is it Made?

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.

The Been Party Instruments

A traditional "Been Party" uses several unique instruments. Most of these are handmade from dried gourds (lauki). The main instruments include:

  1. The Been: The primary woodwind instrument.

  2. Tumba: Another melodic wind instrument.

  3. Khanjiri: A type of percussion or tambourine.

  4. 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.

The Science Behind the Snake Bite

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.

Modern Medicine vs. Traditional Ways

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.

Type of Snake 5 Letters: The Cobra and More

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.

The Law and the Future of Saperas

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.

Study Tips for Class 5 EVS

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.

NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 1 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 12
NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 2 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 13
NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 3 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 14
NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 4 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 15
NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 5 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 16
NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 6 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 17
NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 7 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 18
NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 8 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 19

NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 9

NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 20

NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 10

NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 21

NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 11 NCERT Solutions for Class 5 EVS Chapter 22

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Class 5 EVS Chapter 2 CBSE Notes FAQs

Who are the Kalbeliyas?

Kalbeliyas are a nomadic community of snake charmers, also known as Saperas. They are famous for their ability to catch snakes, provide herbal medicines, and perform traditional music and dances that mimic snake movements.

Which snakes are poisonous in India?

According to the NCERT textbook, only four types of snakes in India are poisonous: the Cobra (Nag), Common Krait, Russel’s Viper (Duboiya), and Saw-scaled Viper (Afai).

Why are snakes called friends of farmers?

Snakes are helpful to farmers because they eat rats and mice in the fields. If snakes weren't there, these rodents would eat and destroy the farmers' crops.

What instruments are used in a Been party?

A Been party uses the Been, Tumba, Khanjiri, and Dhol. Except for the Dhol, all these instruments are made from dried gourds (lauki).

How do snakes hear the music played by the Sapera?

Snakes don't have external ears and cannot hear the music. They react and "dance" by following the movements of the Been and by sensing the vibrations on the ground.
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