A been is made out of a kaddu ( gourd ), that has been dried and hollowed out . Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The saperas (snake charmers) plant the gourd creeper themselves, in a special way , so that the gourd does not touch the ground.
The sapera selects a particular gourd and dries it in the shade as the rays of the sun can produce cracks on the outer skin .
The gourd is then cleaned , seasoned and holes are made on the top and bottom of the instrument.
The panja or the reed portion is made separately .
Two bamboo sticks , about a foot, long are attached to the gourd with beeswax .
One of the panjas provides a constant steady note : a drone, while the other is fashioned like a flute , with all the seven swaras or notes tuned, before it is attached.
A fine tongue of kluck reed ( kaanna ) is inserted in both the panjas so that the tonal quality remains the same .
The instrument is then blown upon to produce different melodies.
The been is accompanied by percussion instruments like the bugdoo, duff or dholki.
A complete been orchestra consists of two beens, a bugdoo, a dholak and a duff.
Cowrie shells have always been associated with the been .
Strings of these shells are tied around the rounded gourd and some of theshells may even be hung as tassels from one end of the been.
Silken tassels and sometimes silver ornaments may be suspended from one end.
The sapera takes great pride in his been .
It is usually hung from a cloth belt around his waist and when not in use , it hangs from a hook on a wall of his house .
Tremendous stamina is required in order to play the been for long periods as it requires a lot of breath control.