It is believed that this representative of the South Indian Music evolved from the snake charmer's Pungi. Nagaswsaram was well known in the 15th and 16th Centuries and formed an integral part of the temples.

It consists of a wooden mouthpiece into which the player blows the air. This air under pressure is released from the lower end of the gourd through two bamboo or metal pipes. These tubes have a valve each to control air flow through the pipes and have holes to control the melody.

Nagaswaram often attains a wild beauty and softness and brings out the subtle graces of Carnatic music.