Author:  Kim Märkl

For Narrator, Oboe or Clarinet, Guitar and Tabla 

The Snake Charmer tells the story of Shiba, a boy who plays the pungi and charms his cobra in the year 1607 in Agra, India.  One day while performing at the marketplace the Empress Mumtaz Mahal hears the snake charmer and invites him to play in the palace.  Shiba’s success inspires jealousy in another artist and almost costs Shiba his life.

The Snake Charmer weaves the music with the story of Shiba and the family who later built the Taj Mahal, taking the listener on a musical adventure to India. 

While doing research for the story I encountered conflicting information regarding the origin of the pungi, the snake charmer’s instrument.  One description considered the pungi to be a type of folk clarinet, originating in the Middle East.  Another resource considered the pungi to belong to the subcategory of the oboe.  After much consideration I decided the piece could be performed effectively by the clarinet or oboe. 

   Samples 1

        Sample 2

             Sample 3

                 Sample 4