Dancing Girl, meet modest imagination, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has covered the bare torso of the Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro in a Class IX art education textbook.
• This 4,500-year-old bronze artifact, discovered in Mohenjo-daro, is a significant representation of the Harappan Civilization's advanced metallurgy and artistry.
• NCERT justified the alteration as being age-appropriate and aimed at creating "positive citizens," according to its Director D.P. Saklani.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro is a 10.5 cm tall bronze sculpture created using the lost-wax casting technique, dating back to approximately 2500 BCE.
• This decision by NCERT is part of broader revisions, which include the deletion of references to the Gujarat riots and the Babri Masjid demolition from Class XII Political Science textbooks.
• NCERT Director D.P. Saklani stated that the purpose of these revisions is to avoid teaching about riots and to foster positive individuals, rather than violent or depressed ones.
• This pedagogical approach is seen by some as contradictory to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's emphasis on fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity among students.
• The NEP 2020 aims to shift education away from rote learning towards experiential and inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to engage with complexity.
• Covering the iconic Dancing Girl is perceived as an unfortunate message regarding women's agency and their representation in public life, especially in contemporary society.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro: A 4,500-year-old bronze figurine from the Harappan Civilization, renowned for its artistic and metallurgical significance.
• National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT): An autonomous organization that advises the Indian government on school education and develops curricula and textbooks.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A comprehensive framework for India's education system, focusing on holistic development, critical thinking, and experiential learning.
• Harappan Civilization: An ancient Bronze Age civilization (also known as Indus Valley Civilization) in South Asia, noted for its urban planning and advanced metallurgical skills.
• Lost-wax casting (Cire Perdue): An ancient metal casting method used to produce intricate metal sculptures, famously employed for the Dancing Girl.