IGNCA Hosts Symposium to Honour UNESCO Recognition of Gita and Natyashastra

In a momentous celebration of India’s civilisational heritage, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) hosted a two-day national symposium titled “Timeless Texts and Universal Teachings” to commemorate the recent inclusion of two foundational Indian texts—the Bhagavad Gita and Bharatamuni’s Natyashastra—in the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register.

The symposium, held at the Ambedkar International Centre on July 30 and at the Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, on July 31, brought together eminent scholars, cultural thinkers, spiritual leaders, and heritage professionals to reflect on the enduring global relevance of these ancient texts and their role in shaping India’s spiritual, philosophical, and aesthetic traditions.

A Global Recognition of India’s Intellectual Legacy

This international recognition by UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, aimed at preserving valuable documentary heritage, affirms the Bhagavad Gita’s philosophical profundity and the Natyashastra’s foundational influence on world performing arts traditions. IGNCA, in partnership with the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), played a central role in preparing the detailed nomination dossiers that led to this historic inscription.

“The Gita and the Natyashastra are not mere texts. They are living traditions that continue to guide the world on ethics, aesthetics, and the essence of being,” said Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, in his inaugural address.

Inaugural Session: Bridging Past and Present

Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Chief Guest of the inaugural session, hailed the UNESCO inscription as a long-overdue validation of India’s civilisational depth.

“While some nations now active on the global stage didn’t exist when these texts were composed, India had already reached a cultural zenith. The Gita’s wisdom is universal—sarvabhuta—meant for all beings,” he said.

He also urged the youth to move beyond colonial legacies and take pride in India’s timeless contributions to global thought.

Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Guest of Honour, eloquently drew parallels between karma yoga in the Gita and the aesthetic discipline of the Natyashastra, noting that both treat action as a spiritual endeavour. “Krishna’s counsel and Bharatamuni’s art meet in the shared realm of spiritual action,” she said.

Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj offered a symbolic interpretation, stating, “Remove ‘D’, ‘I’, and ‘L’ from the word ‘DIGITAL’ and you’re left with ‘GITA’. The Gita can guide even technology, giving it purpose.”

Cultural Reflection and Scholarly Celebration

Ram Bahadur Rai, President of the IGNCA Trust, emphasized that the recognition is not just a ceremonial honour, but a starting point for a global journey of cultural introspection and revival.

“This is a call to action, to revive the dialogic and performative traditions that Krishna and Bharatamuni envisioned—rooted in dharma and driven by self-awareness,” he said.

Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh Chandra Gaur, In-Charge of UNESCO Memory of the World Nodal Centre, highlighted the significance of documentation and conservation. “The Gita and Natyashastra’s inscription affirms India’s place on the global stage of intangible heritage,” he said, also lauding the meticulous work of IGNCA scholars who prepared the nominations.

Exhibition and Publication Launch: From Manuscript to Memory

The event also saw the release of the book “From Manuscript to Memory”, chronicling the historical and archival journey of the two texts. An exhibition bearing the same title showcased rare manuscripts, early print editions, visual interpretations, and curatorial insights into the significance of these works.

A special video message from Shri Vishal V. Sharma, India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Paris, acknowledged IGNCA's instrumental role and reiterated the global relevance of Indian knowledge systems in contemporary discourse.

Valedictory Session: Looking Forward with Reverence

The symposium concluded on July 31 at the Samvet Auditorium, with Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, as Chief Guest, and Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, as Guest of Honour. The session was chaired by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, with Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur presenting a summary of the discussions.

The concluding address emphasized the continued relevance of these texts in modern education, intercultural dialogue, and ethical leadership. Through sessions led by experts in scripture, performing arts, and manuscriptology, the symposium underscored the need to reposition such texts in curricula, digital preservation efforts, and international outreach.

A Cultural Milestone with Enduring Relevance

The two-day event not only commemorated a historic recognition by UNESCO but also signaled a new chapter in India's cultural diplomacy, where heritage is not only preserved but actively disseminated and dialogued with at global platforms.

Through this symposium, IGNCA demonstrated its continuing commitment to cultural preservation, knowledge sharing, and global heritage stewardship, ensuring that the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra remain living beacons of India’s intellectual legacy.

The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Mayank Shekhar, extending gratitude to participants, scholars, institutions, and the wider cultural community for their collective role in this landmark achievement.