You’ve likely seen snake charmers handling even the largest and most venomous snakes with remarkable ease, sometimes in the blink of an eye. Such scenes often leave onlookers amazed, prompting them to wonder whether these snake charmers possess some magical herb or supernatural power that protects them from being bitten or helps them control snakes instantly. But do snake charmers really possess mystical powers or secret herbs?
To uncover the truth behind this widely held belief, Local18 spoke with veteran snake rescuer Avinash Yadav, who has been working in the field for over 30 years.
According to him, these myths have largely been fuelled by old Bollywood films and deceptive practices by some snake charmers. In classic Hindi films, it was common to see dramatic scenes where snake venom was drawn out using herbs or where playing a musical instrument could summon a snake to suck out the poison.
Avinash Yadav explained that snake charmers, particularly those coming from rural or forested areas into cities, often deceive innocent people by claiming to use special herbs or magical techniques to control snakes. (Local18)
These fictional portrayals have led many to believe that snake charmers have mystical abilities or access to miracle herbs, which prevent snakes from biting them or enable them to control the creatures effortlessly. (Local18)