NEP-Aligned Curriculum Introduces Performing Arts Education Across Indian Schools

Kriti and Bansuri: NCERT’s New Arts Textbooks Bring Indian Culture into Classrooms

Indian classical music, with origins in the Vedic period and references in the Samaveda dating back over 6,000 years, laid the foundation for the melodic (raga) and rhythmic (tala) frameworks that define both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. Likewise, classical dance, rooted in Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra (circa 200 BCE), has evolved over 2,000 years into distinct forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, and Kathakali. These art forms are not merely performative—they are spiritual, expressive, and pedagogically rich.
Aligned with the National Education Policy’s vision to embed Indian cultural ethos in education, the NCERT 2025–26 curriculum update introduces music, theatre, visual arts, and classical dance into the syllabus for Classes 3 to 8. This integration fosters creative learning while reconnecting students with India’s millennia-old artistic heritage, ensuring cultural continuity within the school system.

The new Class 8 music textbooks, titled Kriti, were reported to focus on the foundational aspects of Indian classical music, including swar, laya, and shabd. The content encourages recitation of Sanskrit shlokas through swar and laya patterns, introduces folk songs in regional languages, and explains the seven notes of classical music in different rhythmic forms. Students are also exposed to ragas from Hindustani classical music lessons and Carnatic music training. Similarly, the dance section covers diverse Indian forms such as Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and Sattriya.

According to Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and head of the textbook development team, children were earlier required to enrol in private classes for music training in India or dance lessons, as schools did not provide systematic exposure to these traditions. She mentioned that the new curriculum drew inspiration from ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Natyashastra, Brihaddeshi, Sangita Damodara, and Abhinaya Darpanam. These sources shaped chapters on expression, hand gestures, rhythm, and storytelling in performing arts classes. Purecha further pointed out that the objective was not to create experts in Indian dance and music, but rather to provide a foundation for appreciation and practice. She noted that the books introduced simple hasta mudras, basic leaps, jumps, and circle formations that could be incorporated into both traditional and contemporary performances. In music, the basics of ragas and taal were introduced so that students could engage more meaningfully with music in schools and develop an appreciation for classical performances.

The textbooks for Classes 3 to 5 are titled Bansuri, while Kriti has been introduced for Classes 6 to 8. They have been designed with age-appropriate content after over a year of deliberations. In the foreword of the Class 8 edition, NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani emphasised that Kriti integrates India’s knowledge systems, cultural traditions, and values deeply rooted in Bharat. Concerns about the shortage of specialised music, dance, and theatre teachers, particularly in rural schools, were acknowledged. To address this, QR codes have been embedded in the chapters, allowing access to video and audio material for performing arts in schools, thereby supporting self-learning. Purecha explained that village teachers could also incorporate basic elements from the books into cultural activities.

She mentioned that the textbooks followed a structured flow, beginning from Class 3 and progressing to more advanced concepts in higher classes. Parents and teachers of senior classes, she added, were also showing interest in exploring the junior-level books. For Class 8, project-based learning has been introduced, where students are expected to create group performances combining dance, drama, applied arts, and music. Assessment will be practical and graded, with no written examination or theory-based evaluation. To improve accessibility and inclusivity, the music textbooks have been translated into 19 languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Maithili, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Gujarati, Dogri, Konkani, Santhali, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese, Kannada, Sanskrit, Malayalam, and Odia. This initiative has been described as a major step towards strengthening music and education in India by making fine arts in education available to a wider range of learners.

Through this classical music curriculum and focus on arts integration in schools, the NCERT aims to nurture creativity, cultural appreciation, and inclusivity among students while aligning with the vision of holistic development under the National Education Policy.

Editor’s Note

The decision by NCERT to introduce arts and music textbooks into the school curriculum marks a historic shift in Indian education. For decades, subjects like Indian classical music, dance, theatre, and visual arts were treated as extracurricular activities, often sidelined in favour of academic rigour. By embedding them into the core curriculum for Classes 3 to 8, the NCERT has finally recognised the equal importance of cultural education in shaping young minds. This initiative is not just about learning ragas, mudras, or shlokas. It is about giving children a deeper connection to their roots. At a time when globalisation has brought in newer influences, the revival of Indian classical traditions in schools will ensure that our artistic heritage does not fade into the background. Students will learn to value and appreciate their own culture before seeking inspiration abroad.
Equally important is the fact that the curriculum has been designed for inclusivity. By offering QR codes for audio-visual learning and translating textbooks into 19 languages, NCERT has ensured that students in rural and remote areas are not left behind. For many children, this will be their first formal exposure to the performing arts, something previously limited to those who could afford private training.

The emphasis on practical, project-based assessments instead of rote learning is also a welcome move. Children will not be judged by written theory papers, but by their creativity, collaboration, and performance. This will reduce pressure while encouraging self-expression. More importantly, it will instil confidence and communication skills that traditional academic subjects often overlook. Including fine arts like classical music, dance, and theatre in education is crucial. It fosters holistic development, intellectual, emotional, cultural, and spiritual, shaping well-rounded individuals with a strong sense of identity.

According to Skoobuzz, NCERT's initiative is a commendable investment in India's cultural heritage, fostering creative learning and national pride. Its effective implementation could revolutionise how students perceive the arts and elevate the perceived value of education in India.