‘Language of joy, not imposition’: NCERT defends textbook titles after Kerala slams Hindi names for English books

“Kerala, like other non-Hindi speaking states, is committed to protecting linguistic diversity and giving priority to regional cultural freedom. The titles of the textbooks are not mere names; they shape the perception and imagination of children. English medium students deserve English titles. Education should not be an instrument of imposition but of empowerment and consensus,” the CPI(M) leader said.

Asked for a response, NCERT said that its language textbooks have been named after Indian musical instruments and classical ragas like Bansuri, Malhar, Sarangi, Mridang, Veena, Santoor, Poorvi, Khyal, and Deepakam.

“These elements of India’s rich musical heritage are common across all linguistic and cultural traditions of the country, making them ideal symbols to represent a unified language of joy. This approach aligns closely with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, which emphasises joyful learning, cultural rootedness, and the integration of arts and music into education. In fact, the NEP recognises that art and music transcend linguistic barriers, offering a universal medium of expression — a language of joy,” it said.

New textbooks aligned with the NEP and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 are being developed by NCERT. These were introduced for classes 1 and 2 in 2023, and for classes 3 and 6 in 2024. This year, new textbooks are being released for classes 4, 5, 7, and 8.

The English textbook for class 6 (introduced last year) and the new one for class 7, now in stores, are titled Poorvi. The previous class 7 English textbook was titled Honeycomb, while the older class 6 book was Honeysuckle.

Similarly, the old class 4 English textbook was called Marigold, while the new one is Santoor.

In its response, NCERT said: “The naming of language and other textbooks has long been a tradition in NCERT, and the use of terms derived from Indian classical music is meaningful. These terms are neither translatable nor replaceable; they carry with them deep cultural and linguistic associations, helping children identify more strongly with their Indian heritage. This practice ensures that students begin their language journey with familiarity, pride, and a sense of belonging.”

It added that the books are “replete with cultural references from across India,” and pointed out that the class 1 and 2 English textbooks are called Mridang, “derived from Mridangam, a widely recognised percussion instrument associated with Carnatic music,” while Poorvi is named after a raga, and Santoor after a “Kashmiri folk instrument.”

“In a similar vein, the mathematics textbook titled Ganit Prakash draws from India’s rich mathematical heritage,” the NCERT said, adding that it “reflects the contributions of legendary Indian mathematicians such as Aryabhata, Bhaskaracharya, Brahmagupta, and Srinivasa Ramanujan.” The older Maths textbooks did not carry any titles.

“These naming conventions have not been adopted out of linguistic preference, but rather from a deep appreciation of their linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical value. They are reflective of India’s diversity and unity, fostering a joyful and culturally contextualised learning experience for all students. Furthermore, in alignment with the mandate of NEP 2020, NCERT has ensured that these books are translated into all 22 scheduled Indian languages, enabling equitable access for learners across the country,” the NCERT’s response stated.