New Delhi – The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has confirmed it will immediately restore the original depiction of the iconic 'Dancing Girl' statuette in its Class 9 art textbook, Madhurima. The move comes after widespread criticism regarding an altered illustration of the bronze figurine that appeared in the newly introduced textbook.
The Controversy Unfolds
The controversy centered on an image of the 'Dancing Girl' featured in Chapter 1, 'History of Art'. Critics, including historians, educators, and social media users, pointed out that the illustration differed significantly from the original artifact. Specifically, dark shading below the shoulders in the textbook's image appeared to obscure parts of the figure, leading to the impression that the statuette had been clothed.
NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani confirmed the decision on June 15, stating that the matter was reviewed as soon as it came to the organization's attention. "As soon as the issue came to notice, the concerned department was directed to look into the matter. Following consultations with experts, the department is replacing the image of the Dancing Girl with its original version," Saklani told ANI. The correction is being implemented immediately in the digital version of the textbook, with future print editions also featuring the revised image.
Significance of the Dancing Girl
The 'Dancing Girl' is one of the most celebrated and recognizable artifacts from the Harappan civilization, part of the broader Sindhu-Saraswati Civilisation. Unearthed in 1926 at Mohenjo-daro, in present-day Pakistan, the bronze statuette stands approximately 10.5 centimeters tall and is estimated to be around 4,500 years old. Historians widely regard it as a prime example of the advanced craftsmanship and artistic traditions of the Harappan people, particularly showcasing the lost-wax casting technique.
The issue gained further traction because the same artifact is presented in its original, unaltered form in the Class 6 Social Science textbook, The Beginning of Indian Civilization. This discrepancy across different NCERT textbooks prompted academics and observers to question the rationale behind the modification in the Class 9 art textbook.
With NCERT's decision to restore the authentic image, the debate surrounding the representation of this crucial historical artifact in school curricula is expected to conclude, ensuring that students receive an accurate visual representation of the 'Dancing Girl' statuette.