UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

• The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana have been included in UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register.

Significance of the Literary Works

Ramcharitmanas

• Authored by Goswami Tulsidas.
• Revered epic in Indian literature.
• Significant influence on the cultural and moral fabric of the nation.
• Source of inspiration for centuries.

Panchatantra

• Penned by Pt. Vishnu Sharma.
• Collection of ancient Indian fables.
• Imparts moral lessons and practical wisdom.
• Lasting impact on readers worldwide.

Sahṛdayāloka-Locana

• Written by Acharya Anandvardhan.
• Influential work in Indian literary criticism and artistic expression.
• Inclusion highlights its enduring significance in the literary world.

UNESCO's Memory of the World Register

• The first inscriptions on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register were made in 1997.
• By creating a compendium of the world’s documentary heritage, including manuscripts, oral traditions, audio-visual materials, library and archive holdings, the program aims to promote the exchange of information among experts and raise resources for the preservation, digitization, and dissemination of documentary materials.
• As of December 2018, 429 main documentary heritages had been inscribed in the Register, with 116 of these from Asia and the Pacific
• The Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific, known as MOWCAP, is a regional committee of UNESCO's global programme.
• Items listed below are part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Registry, but not a regional list created by MOWCAP, nor made up of national lists, although such lists have been envisioned.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

• Location: New Delhi
• Type: Premier government-funded arts organization in India
• Autonomous: Operates under the Union Ministry of Culture

History

• Launch Date: 19 November 1985
• Launched By: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
• Vision:
• Envisioned as a center for the study and experience of arts across various fields.
• Focus areas include:
• Creative literature: both written and oral traditions.
• Visual arts: encompassing architecture, sculpture, painting, and graphics.
• General material culture: includes photography and film.
• Performing arts: includes music, dance, and theatre.
• Trust Registration:
• The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Trust was constituted and registered in New Delhi on 24 March 1987.

Governance

Board of Trustees

• Role: Oversees the activities and strategic direction of IGNCA, ensuring its objectives are met.

Executive Committee

• Role: Executes the decisions and policies set by the Board of Trustees, managing day-to-day operations and projects.

About IGNCA

• Purpose: Dedicated to the study and exploration of various art forms.
• Focus:
• Emphasizes the interconnectedness of different art forms within the broader context of human culture, society, and nature.
• Aims to foster an integrated understanding of arts.
• Resource Center:
• Serves as a repository for various art forms, including written, oral, and visual materials.
• Acts as a valuable resource for researchers, artists, and scholars.
• Collaborations:
• Partners with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to preserve and promote India's diverse art and culture.
• Technology Use:
• Employs multimedia computer technology to develop interactive software packages that convey cultural information.
• These packages allow users to interact with audio, text, graphics, animation, and video in a non-linear manner.

Aims and Objectives

1.Resource Center:

• • Serve as a major resource center for Indian arts, particularly focusing on written, oral, and visual source materials.

2.Research and Publications:

• • Conduct research on the arts and humanities.
  • Publish reference works, glossaries, dictionaries, and encyclopedias to aid scholars and researchers.

3.Tribal and Folk Arts Division:

• • Establish a division with a core collection dedicated to systematic scientific studies and live presentations of tribal and folk arts.

4.Forum for Dialogue:

• • Provide a platform for performances, exhibitions, multimedia projections, conferences, seminars, and workshops.
  • Cover both traditional and contemporary Indian arts.

5.Interdisciplinary Dialogue:

• • Foster dialogue between the arts and current ideas in philosophy, science, and technology.
  • Aim to bridge the intellectual gap between modern sciences and arts and culture.

6.Research Models:

• • Develop models of research programs and arts administration pertinent to the Indian ethos.

7.Social Interactions:

• • Study the formative and dynamic factors in the complex interactions between diverse social strata, communities, and regions.

8.National and International Interaction:

• • Engage with other national and international institutions for collaborative projects and research.

9.Related Research:

• • Conduct research in the arts, humanities, and culture to further the understanding and preservation of these fields.

Cultural Performances and Festivals

• Events:
• Hosts various cultural events, such as the 'Kathakar: International Storytellers Festival.'
• Showcases diverse storytelling traditions and cultural performances, attracting both national and international participants.

Technological Innovations

• Multimedia Integration:
• Use of advanced multimedia technology to develop cultural information packages.
• Interactive platforms that include audio, text, graphics, animation, and video, allowing for a rich, engaging user experience

Contribution to Cultural Preservation

• Documentation and Preservation:
• Extensive efforts to document and preserve India's cultural heritage.
• Collaboration with global institutions to ensure the longevity and accessibility of cultural artifacts and knowledge.

Global Outreach

• International Collaborations:
• Engages with cultural and academic institutions worldwide.
• Promotes cross-cultural exchanges and global understanding of Indian arts.

Future Goals

• Expansion of Resources:
• Continuously expand its repository of cultural and artistic resources.
• Incorporate emerging technologies and methodologies to enhance preservation and accessibility.
• Enhanced Research Initiatives:
• Further its research initiatives to include more diverse and underrepresented art forms.
• Foster interdisciplinary studies that integrate arts with other fields of knowledge.

SOURCE: PIB