NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies Looking Around: Chapter 2 — A Snake Charmer’s Story
This chapter, "A Snake Charmer's Story," from NCERT's Class 5 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around,' introduces Aryanath, who belongs to the Kalbelia community, known for their snake charming skills. He learns the art of playing the 'been' to make snakes dance from his family. His grandfather, Roshan Nathji, was a renowned saperas (snake-charmer) who could catch poisonous snakes and also possessed knowledge of medicinal plants. The family used to travel, performing with snakes and selling homemade medicines derived from forest plants. They helped people, including those bitten by snakes, and in return received money or food. The chapter highlights that most snakes are not poisonous and emphasizes the importance of traditional knowledge in healing and community life, preparing students for CBSE learning.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — A Snake Charmer’s Story |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 387 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the traditional occupation of snake charming and the Kalbelia community.
- Learn about the 'been' and its role in snake charming.
- Recognize the importance of traditional knowledge in making medicines from plants.
- Differentiate between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.
- Appreciate the role of saperas in helping people with snake bites and other ailments.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| been | A musical instrument played by snake charmers. |
| Kalbeliyas | A community of people known for their snake charming skills. |
| saperas | Snake charmers. |
| poisonous | Containing or producing poison; venomous. |
| bamboo baskets | Containers made from woven bamboo, used to carry snakes. |
| medicines | Substances used for medical treatment, especially derived from plants. |
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Practice questions
- What is the special art that Aryanath can do? Answer: Aryanath can play the 'been' and make snakes dance.
- What is the community Aryanath belongs to called? Answer: Aryanath belongs to the Kalbelia community.
- What did the saperas carry in their bamboo baskets? Answer: The saperas carried their snakes in bamboo baskets.
- What kind of medicines did Aryanath's family make? Answer: They made medicines from plants collected from the forests.
- Are most snakes poisonous? Answer: No, most snakes are not poisonous.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Kalbeliyas?
The Kalbeliyas are a community of people known for their traditional art of snake charming and their knowledge of snakes and medicines.
What is a 'been'?
A 'been' is a musical instrument, often a wind instrument, played by snake charmers to make snakes dance.
What did Aryanath's family do besides snake charming?
Aryanath's family also made and sold medicines derived from forest plants, which they used to help people.
Where are Naag Gumphan designs used?
Naag Gumphan designs are used in rangoli, embroidery, and as wall decorations in places like Saurashtra, Gujarat, and South India.
Are all snakes dangerous?
No, the chapter mentions that most snakes are not poisonous and therefore not dangerous.
How did saperas earn a living?
Saperas earned a living by performing with snakes, selling homemade medicines, and sometimes receiving money or foodgrains from villagers.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies — Looking Around — Chapter 2 — A Snake Charmer’s Story. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.