Gita, Natyashastra In UNESCO’s Memory Of World Register: What Does It Mean
India’s civilisational heritage has received fresh global recognition, with the inclusion of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it “a proud moment for every Indian across the world,” noting that both texts represent “timeless wisdom and rich culture” that have “nurtured civilisation and consciousness for centuries.” According to the Prime Minister, the inclusion of these ancient Indian works is a testament to their enduring impact and continued relevance in modern times.
The Memory of the World Register is UNESCO’s international initiative aimed at preserving documentary heritage of global significance. It includes manuscripts, oral traditions, audiovisual materials, and archival collections that are vital for understanding the shared memory of humanity.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat described the development as a “historic moment for Bharat’s civilisational heritage.” He emphasised that the Gita and Natyashastra are not just literary treasures but form the philosophical and aesthetic foundations that have shaped India’s worldview. “This global honour celebrates India’s eternal wisdom and artistic genius,” Shekhawat said, adding that the country now has 14 entries in the Memory of the World Register.
Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the sentiment, stating, “The world treasures Bharat’s wisdom.” He called the inclusion of the two texts “a great recognition” of the Modi government’s continued efforts to place India’s cultural legacy at the heart of global discourse. “These scriptures depict the ancient wisdom of Bharat that has showed light to humanity to make the world better and lives more beautiful since time immemorial,” he added.
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, is a foundational text in Hindu philosophy and spiritual thought. The Natyashastra, attributed to Bharat Muni, is an ancient treatise on performing arts, covering theatre, dance, and music. Its influence stretches far beyond India, laying the groundwork for classical performance traditions across Asia.
India’s previous entries in the Memory of the World Register include the Rigveda Manuscripts, Saiva Manuscripts of Pondicherry, the Gilgit Manuscripts, and the Abhinavagupta Manuscript Collection. In 2024, Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayaloka-Locana were added to the Asia-Pacific Regional Register.
Collections are added to the register by decision of UNESCO’s Executive Board, following the evaluation of nominations by an independent international advisory committee.
Among the newly inscribed collections, fourteen pertain to scientific documentary heritage. Ithāf Al-Mahbūb (submitted by Egypt) documents the Arab world’s contributions to astronomy, planetary movement, celestial bodies, and astrological analysis during the first millennium of our era. The archives of Charles Darwin (United Kingdom), Friedrich Nietzsche (Germany), Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (Germany)—which contain the very first recorded X-ray photographs—and Carlos Chagas (Brazil), a pioneer in disease research, have also been included.
Other additions include collections related to the memory of slavery, submitted by Angola, Aruba, Cabo Verde, Curaçao, and Mozambique, as well as archives concerning prominent historical women—still largely underrepresented on the register—such as girls’ education pioneer Raden Ajeng Kartini (Indonesia and the Netherlands), author Katherine Mansfield (New Zealand), and travel writers Annemarie Schwarzenbach and Ella Maillart (Switzerland).
Several collections document key moments in international cooperation, including the Geneva Conventions (1864–1949) and their protocols (1977–2005) (Switzerland), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations), and the 1991 Windhoek Declaration (Namibia), a global reference for press freedom.
