NCERT to Restore Original ‘Dancing Girl’ Image in Class 9 Arts Textbook After Controversy

A day after concerns were raised over the altered depiction of the iconic Harappan-era “Dancing Girl” figurine in a newly released Class 9 Arts Education textbook, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has decided to restore the original image of the bronze artefact.

According to sources, the correction will be implemented immediately in the digital version of the textbook available on the NCERT website. Copies yet to be printed will also feature the original image, while future hard-copy editions are expected to reflect the change from the next academic year.

The move follows questions raised by the Education Ministry after reports highlighted that the figurine’s torso had been shaded in the textbook, creating the impression that the sculpture was clothed. Sources familiar with the discussions said the ministry found the alteration difficult to justify, especially since the same artefact appears in an unaltered form in NCERT’s Class 6 Social Science textbook.

The controversy also echoes concerns raised earlier by historian Michel Danino, who revealed that objections had been raised during the preparation of new Class 6 textbooks because the figurine is nude. Danino had argued that the artefact is a widely recognised historical object displayed in the National Museum and routinely taught in schools.

NCERT is understood to have explained that the shading in the Class 9 Arts textbook was intended to encourage students’ “imagination.” However, the explanation failed to quell criticism.

The approximately four-inch bronze figurine, discovered at the ancient site of Mohenjo-daro, is considered one of the most celebrated symbols of the Harappan Civilization. Known for its confident stance and intricate craftsmanship, the artefact has long been regarded as evidence of the civilisation’s advanced metallurgical skills.

The original sculpture is housed at the National Museum and has appeared in NCERT textbooks for more than two decades without any alteration. The restored image will continue to feature in NCERT’s new Arts Education curriculum introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) to integrate arts into mainstream learning.