Natyashastra, Bhagvad Gita inscribed in UNESCO Memory of the World Register

Manuscripts of the Bhagvad Gita and Bharat Muni's Natyashastra are among 74 new documentary heritage collections that have been added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.

Entries on scientific revolution, women's contribution to history and major milestones of multilateralism from 72 countries and four international organisations have been included in the register, according to UNESCO.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, on Friday, 18 April, described the inscriptions as "a proud moment for every Indian across the world".

"The inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register is a global recognition of our timeless wisdom and rich culture. The Gita and Natyashastra have nurtured civilisation, and consciousness for centuries. Their insights continue to inspire the world," he said.

The Natyashastra is considered a seminal text on the performing arts.

On 17 April, the UNESCO added 74 new documentary heritage collections to its Memory of the World Register, bringing the total number of inscribed collections to 570 ahead of World Heritage Day.

Union minister of culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also took to X saying this was a "historic moment for Bharat's civilisational heritage".

This global honour celebrates India's eternal wisdom and artistic genius, he said.

"These timeless works are more than literary treasures — they are philosophical and aesthetic foundations that have shaped Bharat's worldview and the way we think, feel, live, and express. With this, we now have 14 inscriptions from our country on this international register," the minister posted and also shared some images of the two texts.

An UNESCO press release, meanwhile, highlighted 14 other inscriptions newly added — those relating to scientific documentation.

One of these is the Itẓāf Al-Mahbūb, submitted by Egypt, which documents Arab contributions to astronomy and astrological analysis during the first millennium.

Other scientific documents in the archive include the writings of Charles Darwin (United Kingdom), Friedrich Nietzsche and Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (Germany) and Carlos Chagas (Brazil).

UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay said, “Documentary heritage is an essential yet fragile element of the memory of the world. This is why UNESCO invests in safeguarding, such as the libraries of Chinguetti in Mauritania or the archives of Amadou Hampâté Bâ in Côte d’Ivoire, shares best practices, and maintains this register that records the broadest threads of human history.”

With PTI inputs