Decentering the 'normal' learner: Pagla Dashu and the case for neurodiverse pedagogies

Author(s)	Ms. Anusha Bhowmik
Country	India
Abstract	It is estimated that around 2.2 million people are neurodivergent in India (NIMHANS). Another study highlights that nearly one in eight Indian children aged 2-9 years experience neurodevelopmental disorders (Arora et al. e1002615). But despite the statistics showing the scale of neurodiversity, discussions on neurodiversity is still at a nascent stage in India. Many people still don't understand the many benefits of thinking differently. The everyday discourse surrounding 'abnormality' is derived from diverse forms of cultural representation of the same. A lot of neurodivergent individuals face exclusion because the society expects them to fit into the neurotypically designed boxes. Reimagining popular literary texts through the lens of neurodiversity can be extremely helpful for neurodivergent students, who will be able to see themselves in the characters. Sukumar Ray's nonsense literature has been rarely read outside the contours of hasya or kheyal rasa. The paper is focused on neurodiverse reading of Sukumar Ray's The Crazy Tales of Pagla Dashu and Co. from an educator's lens. Furthermore, this paper aims to highlight the concept of alternative intelligence and inclusive education.
Keywords	neurodiversity, normalcy, inclusive education, multiple intelligence, pedagogy.
Field	Sociology > Linguistic / Literature
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-11

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