India's Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra Added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | India's Bhagavad Gita manuscripts and Bharat Muni's Natyashastra included in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. |
| Date of Inclusion | April 17, 2025 |
| Total Indian Entries | 14 documentary heritages now inscribed on the list. |
| Global Additions (2025) | 74 new collections added globally, bringing the total to 570. |
| Bhagavad Gita | - Core spiritual text of Hinduism, part of Mahabharata's Bhishma Parva.<br>- Translated into nearly 80 languages globally. |
| Natyashastra | - Ancient treatise on dramaturgy, theatre, and performance arts by Bharat Muni.<br>- Covers acting, stage design, music, dance, and aesthetics (rasa theory).<br>- Foundational for classical Indian dance and drama. |
| UNESCO's Statement | Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the fragility and importance of documentary heritage for human memory. |
| Memory of World Programme | - Established in 1992.<br>- Aims to preserve and provide access to globally significant documentary heritage.<br>- Supports regional, national registers, and global archive initiatives. |
| Global Participation | Over 100 countries have Memory of the World committees. |