Crafting an Indigenous Flute: The Puntongpulit of Lepchas in Sikkim Himalayas

Abstract

There is a scarcity of contemporary research that carefully explores Puntongpulit, an indigenous Lepcha flute, and a total lack of literature that analyses the making and music on it within the broader framework of Lepcha musical culture. The article focuses on the Lepcha aerophone Pungtongpulit, about (a) the making technique of the instrument, (b) discussion on playing techniques, (c) the music played on the instrument and (d) the association of the music with life and society. The study opted for an ethno-processual methodology through participant observation. An in-depth investigation in this study has showcased the method of procurement of raw materials for the finished Puntongpulit, techniques of playing the instrument and the association of music with the cultural life of the Lepcha community of the Sikkim Himalayas.