Don't Have an Account?
Art and Culture
01 May, 2025
UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register
Tue 22 Apr, 2025
Context
In April 2025, UNESCO inscribed two significant Indian texts—the Bhagavad Gita and Nāṭyaśāstra—into its prestigious Memory of the World (MoW) Register. This inclusion underscores India's rich documentary heritage and its global cultural significance.
About the Memory of the World Programme
- Launched by UNESCO in 1992, the Memory of the World Programme aims to preserve and provide access to the world's documentary heritage. It seeks to prevent the loss of valuable archives and manuscripts due to neglect, decay, or deliberate destruction.
India's Contributions to the Memory of the World Programme Register
- India has actively participated in the MoW Programme, with several entries recognized for their historical and cultural importance. The recent inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita and Nāṭyaśāstra brings the total number of Indian entries to 14.
Significance of the Bhagavad Gita and Nāṭyaśāstra:
- Bhagavad Gita:
-
- A 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata.
- It presents a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, addressing the moral and philosophical dilemmas faced by Arjuna.
- The text has had a profound influence on spiritual thought and philosophy, both in India and globally.
- Nāṭyaśāstra:
-
- An ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts, encompassing theatre, dance, and music.
- Attributed to sage Bharata, it is considered the foundational text for classical Indian arts.
- The work outlines the principles of dramatic composition, stagecraft, and performance, influencing various art forms across Asia.
Other Indian Entries in the Register:
| S.No | Entry Name | Description |
| 1 | Rigveda Manuscripts | Ancient collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns, preserved in manuscript form. |
| 2 | I.A.S. Tamil Medic Manuscript Collection | Compilation of traditional Tamil medical knowledge. |
| 3 | Archives of the Dutch East India Company | Records of the Dutch East India Company's operations in India. |
| 4 | Saiva Manuscripts in Pondicherry | Collection of manuscripts related to Shaivism, preserved in Pondicherry. |
| 5 | Ramcharitmanas | 16th-century Awadhi version of the Ramayana by Tulsidas. |
| 6 | Panchatantra | Ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit prose and verse. |
| 7 | Sahṛdayāloka-Locana | Seminal text on Indian poetics and aesthetics by Kashmiri scholars. |
| 8 | Bhagavad Gita | Philosophical discourse between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. |
| 9 | Nāṭyaśāstra | Comprehensive treatise on performing arts by sage Bharata. |