Jaya NATYAVIDUSHI
Abstract: Communication is the transfer of information and ideas during the interaction between people. It is of two types: verbal and non- verbal, body or gestural. Gestural, body or non-verbal communication is as rich and complex as any language and organizes elementary and meaningless units into meaningful units. The gesture theory states that vocal human language developed from a gestural language. On the other hand, it is visual and exploits the unique features of the visual and performing media. This is considered as universal language. Cultural assimilation leads to multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is the appreciation, accepting, promotion of multiple ethics applied at the organization level in multicultural society. The need for effective multicultural communication is more prevalent in today’s world as countries do more business globally and borders are disappearing. Here gestural language plays a vital role in establishing relationship where people have no language in common. As this language is universally accepted and understood, serves as the main channel of communication in multicultural society. Body language is broad term for gestural language, which includes gestures, facial expression, eye movements, posture, body movements and the use of time and space. This Para language including body or gestural language serves as main factors in multicultural communication. Recognizing the importance of body or gestural language in communication, our ancient preceptors evolved, codified and propagated each body movements for effective communication. Natyashasthra2, which is the earliest text in this direction authored by Sage Bharathamuni, discusses the gestural language in detail. Analyzing the importance of traditional gestural language, Identifying its relevance in changing human values and creating modified version of the same for adopting in multicultural communication – are the main aims of this paper.