Memory of the World Programme: Three Indian literary works included in regional register

The Memory of the World programme by UNESCO aims at the preservation of valuable archive holdings and library collections all over the world and ensuring their wide dissemination. Read here to learn more.

The world’s documentary heritage belongs to all, should be fully preserved and protected for all and, with due recognition of cultural mores and practicalities, should be permanently accessible to all without hindrance.

The term “World’s Documentary Heritage” encompasses a vast array of documents, manuscripts, oral traditions, audiovisual materials, and other records of significant historical, cultural, or social value.

These materials are essential for preserving the collective memory of humanity and ensuring that future generations can access and learn from the experiences, knowledge, and cultural achievements of the past.

Importance of Documentary Heritage

• Historical Record: Documentary heritage provides a tangible link to the past, offering insights into historical events, societal developments, and cultural transformations.
• Cultural Identity: These records help preserve the unique cultural identities and traditions of different communities and nations.
• Educational Resource: They serve as crucial educational tools, providing primary sources for research and learning.
• Legal and Human Rights: Documents such as constitutions, treaties, and legal records are vital for understanding and protecting human rights and the rule of law.

Memory of the World Programme

The Memory of the World Programme is an initiative launched by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1992 to preserve and promote documentary heritage of global significance.

• This program aims to safeguard the world’s documentary heritage against collective amnesia, neglect, decay, and the ravages of time, while also ensuring wide accessibility to these materials.
• With the new additions from 56 countries and organizations, the Memory of the World Register now numbers 494 documentary heritage collections from all world regions.
• Saved on a variety of supports from stone to celluloid, parchment to metal discs, this iconic heritage of universal value is now preserved for future generations, including, for example, illustrated and illuminated Persian manuscripts, the architectural archives of Oscar Niemeyer or the Panji Tale manuscripts.

The Memory of the World Programme aims to:

• Facilitate preservation of the world’s documentary heritage, particularly in areas affected by conflict and/or natural disaster
• Enable universal access to documentary heritage worldwide
• Enhance public awareness about the significance of documentary heritage among the wider public

Objectives of the Memory of the World Programme

1. Preservation: Ensure the survival of valuable documentary heritage through proper preservation methods.
2. Accessibility: Increase the accessibility of documentary heritage by digitizing materials and providing open access where possible.
3. Awareness: Raise public awareness about the significance of documentary heritage and the need to protect it.

Key Components of the Programme

• Memory of the World Register: This is the most visible aspect of the programme, consisting of a list of documentary heritage recognized as having international significance. Entries include manuscripts, oral traditions, audio-visual materials, and library and archive holdings.
• Memory of the World Prize: This biennial award recognizes outstanding contributions to the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage.
• National and Regional Committees: These committees support the programme’s objectives at local and regional levels, ensuring a decentralized approach to identifying and preserving documentary heritage.
• Support for Projects: The programme provides guidance, expertise, and financial assistance to projects aimed at preserving documentary heritage, especially in developing countries.

Examples of Entries in the Memory of the World Register

• Magna Carta (United Kingdom): The 1215 document that is a cornerstone of modern legal systems and human rights.
• The Diary of Anne Frank (Netherlands): The personal diary of a young Jewish girl hiding during World War II.
• The Royal Archives of Madagascar (Madagascar): A collection of documents that provide insight into the island’s history, society, and culture.
• Baytunama Manuscript (Iran): A significant 15th-century Persian manuscript on the practices of managing royal affairs.

Benefits of the Programme

• Enhanced Preservation Efforts: By recognizing and listing documentary heritage, the programme encourages better preservation practices and provides a framework for conservation efforts.
• Cultural Exchange and Understanding: It fosters international cooperation and understanding through the sharing and accessibility of documentary heritage.
• Educational Resource: The preserved documents serve as valuable educational resources, helping to educate current and future generations about historical events, cultures, and traditions.

Challenges and Future Directions

• Funding and Resources: Ensuring adequate funding and resources for preservation and digitization projects remains a challenge.
• Technological Advancements: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies for preservation and accessibility.
• Global Coverage: Expanding the programme’s reach to include more diverse and underrepresented regions and cultures.

Why in the news?

May 2024: Three Indian literary works, Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayaloka-Locana, were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register during the tenth meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Panchatantra

The “Panchatantra” is a renowned ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose.

• It is attributed to Vishnu Sharma and dates back to around 200 BCE to 300 CE.
• The Panchatantra is structured into five books (hence the name, which means “Five Treatises” or “Five Principles”), each of which contains a series of fables that illustrate various principles of political science and human conduct.

Key Features:

• Didactic Nature: Each story conveys a moral lesson, often related to statecraft, strategy, and human relationships.
• Frame Story: The narrative framework involves a king who, to educate his ignorant sons, appoints Vishnu Sharma to teach them through stories that impart wisdom and practical life lessons.
• Influence and Legacy: The Panchatantra has been translated into numerous languages and has influenced global literature, including works like “The Arabian Nights” and “The Fables of Bidpai.”

Ramcharitmanas

The “Ramcharitmanas” is an epic poem in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi, composed by the 16th-century Indian bhakti poet Tulsidas.

• It narrates the life and adventures of Lord Rama, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu.
• The work is considered one of the greatest works of Hindi literature and a masterpiece of Indian devotional poetry.

Key Features:

• Devotional Tone: The text is a devotional retelling of the Sanskrit Ramayana by Valmiki, emphasizing bhakti (devotion) to Rama.
• Structure: It is divided into seven books (kands), each dealing with a different part of Rama’s life, from his birth to his coronation.
• Cultural Impact: The Ramcharitmanas have a profound influence on North Indian culture and religious practices, particularly in regions where Hindi is spoken. Its recitation is a common religious practice, and its verses are sung at various cultural and religious events.
• Language and Accessibility: Written in the local vernacular rather than classical Sanskrit, it made the story of Rama accessible to the masses, enhancing its popularity.

Sahṛdayāloka-Locana

“Sahṛdayāloka-Locana” is indeed a significant commentary on the foundational text “Dhvanyaloka” by the eminent Sanskrit literary theorist Anandavardhana.

• Authored by Acharya Anandvardhan, this commentary offers deep insights into aesthetic experience and literary interpretation principles, emphasizing the concept of suggestion (dhvani) in poetry.
• “Dhvanyaloka” is a seminal work in Sanskrit literary theory written by Anandavardhana in the 9th century.
• The term “dhvani” refers to the “suggestive” aspect of language, where the literal meaning of words suggests a deeper, more nuanced meaning.
• This concept revolutionized Indian poetics by introducing the idea that the true essence of poetry lies not in its explicit meaning but in what it suggests beyond the literal words.

Key Features:

• Clarification of Concepts: The commentary elaborates on the nuanced ideas presented in “Dhvanyaloka”, particularly the multifaceted nature of suggestion (dhvani) in poetry.
• Examples and Illustrations: It provides numerous examples from classical Sanskrit literature to illustrate how dhvani operates in various poetic contexts.
• Interpretative Insights: Acharya Anandvardhan offers interpretative insights that help readers understand the practical application of dhvani in literary criticism and appreciation.
• Integration with Rasa Theory: The commentary integrates the concept of dhvani with the theory of rasa, showing how suggestion enhances the emotive impact of poetry.

National mission for manuscripts

The National Mission for Manuscripts has taken the initiative to nominate Indian manuscripts for inclusion in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register.

• Under this programme, UNESCO provides recognition of the most valuable documentary heritage of the world and facilitates its preservation and universal access to it. Moreover, efforts are made to increase awareness of the significance of these records.

India has four nominations inscribed on the Register

• The Rig Veda manuscripts from Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, have been nominated for inscription in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” Register 2007.
• The I.A.S. Tamil Medic Manuscript Collection (1997)
• Archives of the Dutch East India Company (2003) – Dutch nomination
• Saiva Manuscripts in Pondicherry (2005)

Also, UNESCO declared the Oral Tradition of Vedas in India a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2003.

Conclusion

The Memory of the World Programme plays a crucial role in preserving humanity’s documentary heritage.

By fostering collaboration, promoting best preservation practices, and enhancing accessibility, the programme helps ensure that invaluable historical and cultural records are protected for future generations.

Through this initiative, UNESCO supports the global community in maintaining a rich and diverse documentary legacy, contributing to cultural identity, continuity, and understanding.

Relates articles:

• Ancient Indian literature
• Sanskrit literature
• Sangam literature
• Persian literature

-Article by Swathi Satish