Overview
NCERT’s new Class 9 Art textbook ‘Madhurima’ has covered the torso of the iconic ‘Dancing Girl’ statue from Mohenjodaro. For 25 years, this bronze figurine appeared in textbooks without any covering. Historians call it an act of censorship and a distortion of India’s ancient heritage.
A Strange Change in a New Textbook
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a new art textbook for Class 9. It is called ‘Madhurima’. This book is part of NCERT’s first-ever arts education series, introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). In the opening chapter, there is a photograph of one of India’s most famous ancient artefacts: the ‘Dancing Girl’ of Mohenjodaro. But this photograph is not the original. The figure’s torso has been shaded over, from the shoulders down. The bare chest is now covered. This is the first time in 25 years that the ‘Dancing Girl’ has been shown with a covered body in an NCERT textbook.
The Iconic ‘Dancing Girl’ of Mohenjodaro
The ‘Dancing Girl’ is a small bronze statue, only about four inches tall. It was discovered at Mohenjodaro, a major city of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The figurine shows a young girl with her hair tied in a bun. She wears many bangles, a bracelet, and a necklace. Her posture is confident and relaxed. Archaeologists believe she was a dancer or a girl of high status. The statue is about 4,000 years old. It is a masterpiece of ancient Indian metallurgy. The original is kept in the National Museum in New Delhi. For decades, this figurine has been a symbol of India’s rich heritage.
The New Textbook and the Cover-Up
In ‘Madhurima’, the photograph of the ‘Dancing Girl’ has been retouched. The torso is shaded in a way that hides the anatomical details. It gives the impression that the girl is wearing a dress. This is a clear change from the original statue. The textbook is meant to teach students about art history. But here, the image has been altered. A historian called Michel Danino said that this is “an act of censorship”. He also said that it is “wrong and unfair to the student”. He pointed out that the original statue is on display in the National Museum. If students are not allowed to see the real figure in a textbook, why should they be allowed to see it in a museum?
A 25-Year History Without Censorship
The ‘Dancing Girl’ has been in NCERT textbooks for at least 25 years. During earlier NDA governments, when Murli Manohar Joshi was the Education Minister, the figurine appeared without any covering. A review of old textbooks shows that the torso was never hidden. Even in the new Class 6 Social Science textbook, the ‘Dancing Girl’ is shown in its original form. So the change is only in the art textbook. This makes the decision even stranger.
The Expert’s Protest and Controversy
When the new textbooks were being prepared, there was a discussion about the ‘Dancing Girl’. Some members of NCERT raised objections. They said that the figurine was nude and could become “controversial”. Michel Danino, who headed the textbook development committee for Class 6 Social Science, pushed back. He argued that if the figurine is not age-appropriate, then children should not be allowed into the National Museum either. Danino eventually agreed to move the image from the chapter opener to an inside page and reduce its size. But he did not agree to cover it. Now, in the art textbook, the covering has happened anyway. Danino is no longer part of NCERT’s textbook committee. He stepped down after another controversy.
Why This Matters for Students and History
The ‘Dancing Girl’ is not just a statue. It is evidence of a highly advanced civilisation. The Indus Valley people knew how to cast metal and create realistic human figures. The confidence and freedom of the young girl reflect the social values of that time. When we cover her body, we are hiding a part of history. Students will not see the true artefact. They will see a fake, altered image. This is not good education. History should be shown as it is, not as we wish it to be.
A Human Touch – The Historian’s Frustration
Michel Danino, a well-known historian, expressed his sadness. He said, “This picture of the Dancing Girl is unfair to the student. First, it is so tiny that nothing of this remarkable figurine’s facial expression or ornaments can be made out. Second, the shading of her trunk is an act of censorship. Unless we wish to return to Victorian morality, such prudishness is misplaced. Third, this manipulation of the image amounts to creating a fake artefact which exists nowhere. That is just not done.” His words show the frustration of many historians and educators.
The Official Response
When asked about the covering, NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said, “No, I don’t think there is any specific reason.” He said that in the Class 6 Social Science textbook, the ‘Dancing Girl’ is still there as it is. He suggested contacting the textbook development team for art books. Sandhya Purecha, the head of that team, was not available for comment. So the real reason remains unclear.
Conclusion
The covering of the ‘Dancing Girl’ in NCERT’s new art textbook is a troubling step. It hides a beautiful and important part of India’s ancient past. It also creates a fake artefact that does not exist in reality. Students deserve to see history as it is. Let us hope that future editions of the book will restore the original image.
Exam-Focused Points
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‘Dancing Girl’ – a bronze figurine from Mohenjodaro, Indus Valley Civilisation.
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Age: About 4,000 years old.
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Height: Approximately four inches.
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Location of original: National Museum, New Delhi.
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NCERT’s new art textbook: ‘Madhurima’ for Class 9.
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Change: Torso shaded to cover nudity; first time in 25 years.
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Historian Michel Danino called it censorship and a fake artefact.
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NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said no specific reason.
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Earlier history: Figurine appeared uncovered in NCERT textbooks for at least 25 years, including during previous NDA governments.
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Related controversy: Danino stepped down from textbook committee after another issue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the ‘Dancing Girl’?
A: It is a small bronze statue found at Mohenjodaro, belonging to the Indus Valley Civilisation. It is about 4,000 years old.
Q2: How has NCERT changed the image?
A: In the new Class 9 art textbook ‘Madhurima’, the torso of the ‘Dancing Girl’ has been shaded over, hiding the anatomical details. It looks like she is wearing clothes.
Q3: Has this been done before?
A: No. For at least 25 years, the ‘Dancing Girl’ appeared in NCERT textbooks without any covering.
Q4: What did historian Michel Danino say?
A: He called it an act of censorship and said it creates a fake artefact that does not exist anywhere. He also said it is unfair to students.
Q5: What is NCERT’s official explanation?
A: NCERT Director said there is no specific reason. He noted that the original image is still used in the Class 6 Social Science textbook.