Why Is India’s Literary Heritage in the News?
On April 18, 2025, India achieved another milestone in promoting its ancient literary heritage globally. UNESCO added the Bhagavad Gita and the Natyashastra to its prestigious Memory of the World Register, bringing India’s total entries to 14, with 2 joint entries.
This marks global recognition of India’s enduring contributions to spirituality, performing arts, and knowledge systems through ancient Indian texts.
What Is UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme?
Established in 1992, the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme aims to:
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Preserve documentary heritage such as manuscripts, oral traditions, and archives.
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Ensure universal access to these cultural treasures.
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Raise global awareness about their importance.
It operates through:
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International Register
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Regional Registers
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National Committees
India’s consistent representation in the programme reflects its rich documentary heritage, from Sanskrit literature to traditional Indian knowledge systems.
Bhagavad Gita: India’s Spiritual Core Goes Global
🔹 What is the Bhagavad Gita?
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Composed of 700 Sanskrit verses, embedded in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata.
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Takes the form of a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
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Discusses key themes such as Dharma (duty), Karma, Moksha (liberation), and Bhakti (devotion).
🔹 Why Did UNESCO Recognize It?
UNESCO acknowledged its philosophical and spiritual influence across traditions and its relevance to ethical and personal dilemmas even today.
Its inclusion honors India’s civilizational wisdom and global impact.
Natyashastra: The Soul of Indian Performing Arts
🔹 What is the Natyashastra?
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Authored by Bharatamuni, this 2nd-century BCE Sanskrit text is considered the foundational treatise of Indian classical performance arts.
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It contains 36,000 verses under the umbrella of Gāndharvaveda.
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Encompasses detailed frameworks for:
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Nāṭya (drama)
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Abhinaya (performance)
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Rasa (aesthetics)
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Bhāva (emotion)
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Saṅgīta (music)
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🔹 UNESCO Recognition
The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute houses the preserved text.
UNESCO honored the Natyashastra for its unmatched role in shaping Indian dance, theatre, and aesthetics, and for the universal resonance of the idea that “no meaning can blossom without rasa.”
Full List of Indian Manuscripts in UNESCO Memory of the World Register
Here are some other notable Indian entries in the UNESCO documentary heritage list:
| Year | Entry | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | IAS Tamil Medical Manuscript Collection | Siddha & Ayurvedic knowledge in 564 Tamil palm-leaf texts |
| 2005 | Saiva Manuscripts, Pondicherry | Texts on Shaivism, Agamas, Siddha medicine, hymns |
| 2007 | Rigveda Manuscripts | Oldest of the four Vedas with 10,552 mantras |
| 2011 | Tarikh-e-Khandan-e-Timuriyah | Mughal manuscript from Akbar’s court |
| 2011 | Vimalaprabha Commentary | 11th-century Buddhist tantric text |
| 2013 | Shantinatha Charitra | Jain manuscript with miniature paintings |
| 2017 | Gilgit Manuscripts | 5th–6th century Buddhist texts on birch bark |
| 2017 | Maitreya-vyakarana | Palm-leaf prophecy of Maitreya Buddha |
| 2023 | Abhinavagupta Manuscripts | 10th-century Kashmir texts on aesthetics and tantra |
| 2024 | Ramcharitmanas | Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana by Tulsidas |
| 2024 | Panchatantra | Animal fables in Sanskrit from ~300 CE |
| 2024 | Sahṛdayāloka-Locana | Foundational works on Sanskrit literary theory |
What Does This Mean for India?
🔸 Cultural Recognition
UNESCO’s recognition boosts India’s global cultural footprint and reaffirms its status as a cradle of knowledge.
🔸 Preservation and Access
It encourages digital preservation, scholarly research, and public awareness about the richness of India’s literary heritage.
🔸 Education and Tourism
These listings open up opportunities for academic engagement, interdisciplinary studies, and cultural tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions – UPSC Focus
❓ What is UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register?
A UNESCO programme that aims to preserve and provide access to the world’s documentary heritage.
❓ Which Indian texts were added to UNESCO’s register in 2025?
The Bhagavad Gita and the Natyashastra.
❓ What was India’s first entry in the Memory of the World Register?
The IAS Tamil Medical Manuscript Collection in 1997.
❓ What is the core teaching of the Natyashastra?
The Rasa theory, which holds that no meaning exists without emotional expression.
❓ Why is Bhagavad Gita globally significant?
Because it explores universal themes of ethics, duty, and spirituality across religious and philosophical traditions.
Conclusion
The inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register is a monumental recognition of India’s literary heritage. These ancient Indian texts not only reflect India’s rich intellectual traditions but also contribute to global thought in the realms of ethics, aesthetics, and philosophy.
For UPSC aspirants, this is a must-know topic connecting Art & Culture, International Institutions, and Indian Philosophy. Expect direct or indirect questions in both Prelims and Mains.
