Source: HT
Context:
A clay flute tradition from Pakistan’s Sindh region – with echoes stretching back to the Indus Valley and faint parallels in Gujarat – became the early focal point of the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Boreendo at a Glance
- What it is: A spherical clay vessel-flute producing soft, breathy tones, used in folk music, pastoral songs, and winter gatherings in Sindh.
- Origin: Keti Mir Muhammad Lund, Sindh; roots trace back to Mohenjo-daro, linking it to the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE).
- Design & Craftsmanship:
- Handmade from sun-dried, kiln-fired clay.
- Egg-shaped body with 1 inlet and 3–5 holes; pitch changes by tilting the mouthpiece.
- Decorated by women with natural motifs, reflecting local aesthetics.
- Acoustic Features:
- Produces haunting, mellow notes.
- Size-dependent tones: Large = deep resonance; small = sharper tones.
- Transmission: Skills passed orally in artisan families; only one maestro and one potter survive, making preservation urgent.
- Cultural Significance: Symbolizes Thari pastoral identity, community cohesion, and nature connection.
