Why in the News?

Bhagavad Gita and Bharata’s Natyashastra manuscripts has been included in UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register.

About UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register:

Launched in 1992, UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme preserves and promotes documentary heritage of global significance.
It safeguards humanity’s documentary heritage, ensuring materials are accessible for future generations.

Bhagavad Gita:
- Traditionally attributed to sage Vyasa, the Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse scripture in the Mahabharata.
- It presents a dialogue between Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Krishna, discussing duty, righteousness, and spirituality.
- The Gita synthesizes various Indian philosophical traditions, including Vedic, Buddhist, Jain, and Charvaka.
- The text is dated to the first or second century BCE, with oral compositions transcribed later.
Natyashastra:
- Attributed to sage Bharata, the Natyashastra defines the rules of performing arts such as drama, music, and dance.
- It introduces Rasa (aesthetic experience), a key concept in Indian theatre.
- The treatise consists of 36,000 verses and was codified around the 2nd century BCE, continuing to influence performing arts today.

Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, Sahṛdayaloka-Locana (2024): Important literary and cultural texts in India’s storytelling tradition.
Abhinavagupta’s Works (2023): Significant contributions to Shaiva philosophy and mysticism.
NAM Archives (2023): Archives from the 1961 Non-Aligned Movement summit, reflecting India’s role in diplomacy.
Rig Veda (2005): One of the oldest texts, foundational in Indian spirituality.
Dutch East India Company Archives (2003): Reflecting colonial history.

[UPSC 2024] Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhāsa?

Options: (a) Kavyaalankara (b) Natyashasta (c) Madhyama-vyoga* (d) Mahabhashya