NCERT’s New Class 7 Textbooks Introduce Traditional Indian Games, Puppetry, and Tie & Dye
In a significant move to align education with India’s cultural roots, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced new textbooks for Class 7 that celebrate traditional Indian games and indigenous crafts. The new curriculum, developed in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cultural heritage.
The Physical Education and Well-being textbook, titled Khel Yatra, introduces a range of traditional games that promote fitness, agility, and teamwork. Unit 1, “Foundational Basis of Physical Education and Well-being,” features games such as ‘Ghorpadiche Shepoot’, a team-tag game from Maharashtra inspired by the legend of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, who used a monitor lizard to scale the walls of Sinhagad Fort.
Another Maharashtrian game, ‘Gidhada Gudkavan’ or Hawk and Chickens, replicates the chase of a hawk trying to tag chickens, promoting strategy and coordination. From Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the game ‘Nalugu Rallu Ata’ (Four Stones Game) has been included, where players dodge the “denner” while collecting stones.
Unit 2 of the textbook, “Physical and Motor Fitness,” highlights four more indigenous games. These include:
- ‘Dhaan ki Bori’ – a sack race where one player carries another on their back.
- ‘Atya-Patya’, also known as ‘Dariya Bandha’, a game of lines and tagging with deep roots in Indian traditions.
- ‘Dapo Nyarka Sunam’ – a traditional bamboo wrestling game from Northeast India that builds strength and balance.
- ‘Madhu and Manu’ – a tag game focused on speed and team coordination.
The remaining units (3 to 6) of Khel Yatra cover fundamentals of popular sports such as Badminton and Football, and dedicate special sections to Kabaddi, Yoga, Asanas, and Pranayama. The textbook integrates key values like inclusion, gender equality, and cultural pride, as highlighted by NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani in his foreword.
Complementing this initiative is the new Vocational Education textbook titled Kaushal Bodh, which introduces students to crafts and skills rooted in Indian traditions. One highlight is Puppetry, explored through archaeological finds like the puppet-headed bull discovered at Karanpura, Rajasthan, linked to the ancient Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization.
The book also brings Tie and Dye fabric printing into the classroom. Students will learn about:
- ‘Leheriya’ and ‘Bandhani’ techniques from Rajasthan and Gujarat,
- ‘Batik’ from Madhya Pradesh,
- and ‘Madurai Sungudi’, a tie and dye pattern popular in Tamil Nadu created by a Gujarati migrant community.
Other modern vocational skills such as Gardening and Artificial Intelligence are also introduced, aiming to give students a well-rounded and culturally enriched learning experience.
Through these innovative additions, NCERT aims to foster a deeper connection among students with India’s diverse cultural heritage while promoting physical fitness, creativity, and essential life skills.
