Bhagavadgītā and Nāṭyaśāstra manuscripts inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register
On 17 April 2025 UNESCO added 74 documentary heritage collections to its Memory of the World Register, including India's manuscript collection of the Bhagavadgītā and the manuscript of Bharatamuni's Nāṭyaśāstra, taking the total to 570.
Summary
UNESCO added 74 new documentary heritage collections to its Memory of the World Register on 17 April 2025, bringing the total number of inscribed collections to 570. The entries come from 72 countries and 4 international organisations. India's two inscriptions are the 'Manuscript Collection of Bhagavadgītā' and the 'Manuscript of the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharatamuni'. According to UNESCO, the Bhagavadgītā has 700 verses in 18 chapters and is embedded in the Bhīṣmaparva (adhyāya 23â40) of the Mahābhārata, while the Nāṭyaśāstra sets out rules for nāṭya (drama), abhinaya, rasa, bhāva and saṅgīta. Collections are added by decision of UNESCO's Executive Board after evaluation by an international advisory committee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the inclusion a global recognition of India's wisdom and culture.
Key facts
- Date
- 17 April 2025
- New entries
- 74 (from 72 countries and 4 international organisations)
- Register total
- 570 collections
- India's entries
- Manuscript Collection of Bhagavadgītā; Manuscript of the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharatamuni
- Bhagavadgītā
- 700 verses, 18 chapters; Bhīṣmaparva (adhyāya 23â40) of the Mahābhārata
- Programme
- Memory of the World, established 1992
Practice MCQs 3 questions
After the inscriptions of 17 April 2025, how many collections are there in total on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register?
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Correct answer: B â 570
570: UNESCO added 74 new collections, bringing the total to 570.
Consider the following statements about India's 2025 inscriptions on the Memory of the World Register: 1. The Bhagavadgītā, as described by UNESCO, contains 700 verses in 18 chapters. 2. The inscribed Nāṭyaśāstra manuscript is attributed to Bharatamuni. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. UNESCO describes the Bhagavadgītā as 700 verses in 18 chapters, and the entry is the 'Manuscript of the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharatamuni'.
According to UNESCO's inscription note, the Bhagavadgītā is embedded in which parva of the Mahābhārata?
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Correct answer: D â Bhīṣmaparva
Bhīṣmaparva: UNESCO notes it is embedded within the Bhīṣmaparva (adhyāya 23â40) of the Mahābhārata.