NEWS –  Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana enter ‘UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register’

RAMCHARITMANAS

• Written by the 16th-century Indian bhakti poet Tulsidas in Awadhi.
• Inspired by Valmiki’s Ramayana, it’s also known as Tulsi Ramayana or Tulsidas Ramayana.
• Regarded as one of the greatest works in Hindu literature.
• Praised as a comprehensive guide to Indian culture and a trusted source of devotional literature.
• Tulsidas chose Awadhi over Sanskrit for wider accessibility to the public.
• Despite initial criticism, Ramcharitmanas became widely accepted, making the story of Rama accessible to all.
• Introduced traditions like Ramlila, dramatic enactments of the text.
• Considered a key work in the Saguna school of the Bhakti movement in Hindi literature

PANCHATANTRA

• Dated around 200 BCE, the Panchatantra is an ancient collection of Indian animal fables.
• The author remains unknown, with attributions to Vishnu Sharma and Vasubhaga.
• Widely translated, the Panchatantra has versions in over 50 languages worldwide.
• Its reach extends from Europe to Asia, influencing cultures and storytelling traditions.
• Adapted into various versions like Kalilah wa Dimnah and The Fables of Bidpai across different cultures.
• Found in numerous languages, including Middle Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and European languages.
• The fables from the Panchatantra are deeply embedded in Indian folklore, resonating with global audiences.
• It showcases the enduring appeal of moral teachings and animal fables in storytelling

SAHṚDAYALOKA-LOCANA

• The work ‘Sahṛdayaloka-locana’ is attributed to the Kashmiri poet Acharya AnandVardana.
• This literary work holds significance in the field of aesthetics and literary criticism, particularly in the Sanskrit tradition.
• The text provides valuable insights into the principles of Sanskrit poetics, exploring themes like rasa (emotions), alamkara (figures of speech), and dhvani (suggestion).
• Through its analysis and interpretations, ‘Sahṛdayaloka-locana’ has contributed significantly to the understanding and appreciation of Sanskrit literature and aesthetics.

UNESCO MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER

• Initiated in 1992, it aims to safeguard humanity’s documentary heritage.
• Focuses on preserving historical, cultural, and scientific documents like manuscripts, books, films, and audio records.
• The program ensures access to these materials for research, education, entertainment, and preservation purposes.
• Being listed on the register affirms the heritage’s importance, increases awareness, and improves access for various purposes.
• As of May 2023, the register had 494 inscriptions.