Masak baja is a traditional musical instrument from Uttarakhand (India). Typically used in wedding celebrations and other social events in the rural parts of Northern India and Pakistan, the Masak baja has a variety of different names, including: mashak, mashak bin, and bin baja. The etymology of the term mashak stems from its common use in India, referring to a skin bag used for carrying water. This skin bag shares a similar function to the air bag of the bag pipes.
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Garhwali Bagpipes
The Garhwali bagpipe is the name to which the Garhwali people of Northern India have given the masak baja.
Cultural significance
In the central Himalayan region of Garhwal in Northern India the masak baja is an important part of rural wedding ceremonies. The masak baja is played to process with the groom's on their way to and from the bride's village. The masak is accompanied by two pipers and drummers. The masak and its accompanying instruments send a clear message across the audible area that a wedding is taking place.