Inclusion of the manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra in UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register marks a significant milestone not only for India but for the global acknowledgement of its profound intellectual and cultural legacy. These texts, deeply embedded in India’s civilisational ethos, are now part of an international registry that preserves and promotes humanity’s documentary heritage.
The Bhagavad Gita, a philosophical dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, is not merely a religious scripture but a timeless treatise on duty, ethics, and spiritual wisdom. Over centuries, it has transcended geographic and cultural boundaries, influencing philosophers, leaders, and thinkers worldwide. Equally significant is the Natyashastra, attributed to sage Bharat Muni, which is considered the foundational text of Indian performing arts. It systematises dance, drama, and music into a coherent framework, making it arguably the world’s oldest surviving compendium on dramaturgy. Its theories on aesthetics-rasa, bhava, and performance-have not only shaped Indian classical arts but have also found resonance in global academic and artistic discourses.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, which now includes these manuscripts among 74 new entries from 72 countries and four international organisations, plays a crucial role in safeguarding humanity’s shared heritage. This latest recognition is not just a tribute to India’s past but also a call to reinvigorate its cultural diplomacy. It is an opportunity for India to invest in the conservation, digitisation, and dissemination of its vast manuscript collections, many of which remain under-researched and at risk of decay. While such recognition is worth celebrating, it must be backed by robust institutional mechanisms to preserve, study, and share India’s cultural wealth with the world.
With 14 Indian entries now inscribed in the Memory of the World Register, this moment underscores the need for sustained cultural stewardship. It is a reminder that manuscripts are not relics of the past but living documents that continue to shape our understanding of humanity, philosophy, and the arts. This global acknowledgement is a powerful affirmation: India’s ancient wisdom is not just relevant but vital to the collective consciousness of a rapidly evolving world.
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