Duct flute; pinkillu

Saripalka pinkillu, duct flute, made of a branch of jarka wood (genus Albizia) spilt laterally for the bore to be carved out. The two halves are bound with twelve bands of ox tendon. A beak-shaped mouthpiece is carved at the proximal end. A block of charka-uma wood (Proustia cuneifolia) is inserted, and is sealed with beeswax or fat. It extends slightly from the top of the beak. The entrance to the windway is half-moon shaped in section. A square mouth or window, with a long chamfered edge is cut into the front of the tube. Six large, round finger holes are arranged in two groups of three towards the distal end.