NCERT withdraws decision to cover torso of Indus Valley ‘dancing girl’ statue in textbook

The controversy surrounding the "Dancing Girl" of Mohenjo-daro, a 4,500-year-old bronze figurine from the Indus Valley Civilization, has sparked widespread public discourse in India. The figure, originally displayed with its bare torso exposed, was recently altered in the NCERT's new Class 9 arts textbook, with the torso partially shaded to obscure anatomical details. This modification, intended to make the image "age-appropriate," has ignited debates about educational content, historical accuracy, and the role of censorship in shaping young minds. The Dancing Girl, a symbol of ancient Indian craftsmanship and culture, has become a focal point for discussions on how history is taught in schools.

The Dancing Girl was first unearthed in 1926 during excavations at Mohenjo-daro, one of the major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan. Standing just 10.5 centimeters tall, the bronze figurine is notable for its naturalistic portrayal—depicted with one leg bent, one hand resting on the hip, and a slight lift of the chin. She wears jewelry, including multiple bangles on one arm and a necklace, and is dressed in a simple garment that leaves her torso bare. The artifact is currently housed in the National Museum in New Delhi and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic representations of early South Asian artistry.

The controversy began when the modified image of the Dancing Girl appeared in the new Class 9 arts textbook, titled *Madhurima*. Unlike the original photograph, which showcases the figure's full form, the textbook version uses shading to obscure the upper body, effectively hiding the anatomical details that were visible in the original sculpture. This change was not applied to the Class 6 Social Science textbook, where the Dancing Girl appears almost identical to the original. The discrepancy has raised questions about the rationale behind the modification and whether it reflects an attempt to sanitize historical content for younger students.

Michel Danino, a historian and former member of the NCERT textbook development committee, expressed strong disapproval of the alteration. He stated that the modification misrepresents the original artifact, comparing it to the medieval Church's addition of a fig leaf to Michelangelo's *David* to conceal nudity. Danino argued that such changes distort historical records and undermine efforts to decolonize education. He emphasized that the Dancing Girl should be presented as she is—a bronze sculpture with a naturalistic depiction—especially in a chapter dedicated to the study of Indian art. "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," he remarked.

The decision to alter the image was reportedly based on concerns that the original version might be deemed inappropriate for younger students. Michel Danino, who led the committee responsible for the Class 6 Social Science textbook, confirmed that he had been advised that the Dancing Girl was considered "not age-appropriate." However, he and his team challenged this view, noting that teachers and educators had no issues with the original image. "The notion that nudity is inappropriate is, in my opinion, an obsolete Victorian view," Danino said. Despite these objections, the modified version was included in the Class 9 textbook, prompting outrage among historians, educators, and the general public.

The controversy has also highlighted broader tensions regarding the portrayal of historical artifacts in educational materials. Some critics argue that the modification represents an act of censorship, particularly in light of ongoing discussions about decolonizing Indian education. Others suggest that the change was made to align with contemporary sensibilities, especially in an era where concerns about exposure to explicit content are increasingly prevalent. The debate extends beyond the Dancing Girl, touching on larger questions about how history is curated and presented to students.

In response to the backlash, NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani announced that the original version of the Dancing Girl would be restored in both the digital and future print editions of the Class 9 textbook. The decision followed consultations with experts and a review of the matter by the Department of Arts Education and the textbook development committee. While the exact reasons for the initial modification remain unclear, the reversal underscores the sensitivity of the issue and the pressure on educational authorities to balance historical accuracy with pedagogical considerations.

As the situation continues to evolve, the Dancing Girl remains a powerful symbol of the past, challenging modern perceptions of art, identity, and education. Her presence in classrooms, whether in her original form or modified, serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization and the complex ways in which history is interpreted and transmitted across generations.