UNESCO Honours Gita & Natyashastra's Global Value

To honour the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, IGNCA held a two-day symposium showcasing their global relevance, civilisational value, and ongoing impact on culture, philosophy, and the performing arts.

Highlights:

• Event: Two-day national symposium hosted by IGNCA in New Delhi.
• Occasion: Marking the inscription of Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register.
• Theme: Timeless Texts and Universal Teachings.
• Inauguration: Held on 30th of July, 2025, at Ambedkar International Centre.
• Guests: Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Swami Gyananand Ji, Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, and others.
• Highlights: Cultural significance, historical value, and civilisational wisdom of the texts discussed in multiple sessions.
• Release: Book titled From Manuscript to Memory and accompanying exhibition launched.
• Closing Session: Scheduled for July 31 at IGNCA with Secretary, Ministry of Culture as Chief Guest.

To mark the historic inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharatamuni’s Natyashastra in the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), under the Ministry of Culture, is organizing a two-day national symposium in New Delhi. Titled ‘Timeless Texts and Universal Teachings’, the event aims to showcase the global importance, enduring relevance, and profound spiritual wisdom of these ancient Indian texts.

The inaugural session took place on July 30, 2025, at the Ambedkar International Centre, with Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, attending as the Chief Guest. Applauding India’s ancient wisdom, he remarked, “The Gita and Natyashastra were written millennia ago, predating many modern civilizations. UNESCO’s recognition affirms the global relevance of our timeless knowledge.”

Padma Bhushan Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, President of the IGNCA Trust, presided over the session, while Swami Gyananand Ji and Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh added spiritual and artistic reflections. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, and Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Head of the UNESCO Nodal Centre, also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the rigorous efforts made by IGNCA in the nomination process.

Swami Gyananand Ji offered a unique insight, stating, “Remove the letters D, I, and L from ‘DIGITAL’, and you are left with ‘GITA’. The Gita guides even technology when rooted in values.” Dr. Sonal Mansingh eloquently tied together both scriptures through their shared focus on karma yoga, calling their recognition a “tribute to UNESCO itself.”

A special book, From Manuscript to Memory, was launched during the event, chronicling the cultural preservation of these texts. An accompanying exhibition showcased rare manuscripts and archival records. In a video message, Shri Vishal V. Sharma, India’s UNESCO Ambassador, celebrated IGNCA’s role in securing this global honour.

The valedictory session, set for July 31 at IGNCA’s Samvet Auditorium, will have Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, as the Chief Guest, and Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, as the Guest of Honour. Chaired by Dr. Joshi, the event will feature diverse scholarly sessions exploring the texts’ cultural, philosophical, and educational significance.

IGNCA’s symposium serves as both a celebration and a scholarly reflection, reaffirming the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra not just as ancient scriptures, but as enduring blueprints for personal growth, artistic excellence, and global harmony.