National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will revert to original "Dancing Girl" figurine depiction from Mohenjo-daro in Class 9 Arts textbook. Backlash erupted over altered version with covered torso,raising debate on how schools present historical artifacts.
Director Dinesh Saklani confirmed change,responding to calls to replace modified image. Original bronze figurine,dating to around 2600 BCE,is key artifact from Indus Valley Civilisation,known for artistic flair. Current textbook,Madhurima, obscures figure's torso with shading,hiding anatomical details of real sculpture.
Class 6 Social Science textbook shows Dancing Girl close to original. Michel Danino,who led textbook committee,couldn't believe the decision to alter image for older students. Told it was "not age-appropriate," reason he finds absurd.
“The notion that nudity is inappropriate is, in my opinion, an obsolete Victorian view,” Danino remarked. “If the Dancing Girl cannot figure as she is, and with proper dimensions, in a chapter on Indian art,then we have a serious problem.”
Danino slammed modification,calling it misrepresentation. Compared it to Church adding fig leaf to Michelangelo's David during Middle Ages. Said changing images without clear reason creates "fake artefact." Reflects misunderstanding of artifact depiction .
Chapter on Dancing Girl not only identifies figurine but dives into cultural significance. Archaeologists have various takes on artifact…little known about original context . Danino noted similar postures on potsherds from Harappan site of Bhirrana in Rajasthan,hinting at specific artistic value.
Textbook doesn't stop at discussion . Includes prompts for students to engage with figure's pose. Activities ask students to mimic Dancing Girl's stance,sketch it,consider different foot positions. Interactive approach aims for deeper understanding of artifact's relevance.
As NCERT pushes this change,it raises questions about authenticity in education…portrayal of historical figures and artifacts.
