Communication Gesture

Communication Gesture
A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication or non-vocal communication in which visible bodily

actions communicate particular messages, either in place of, or in conjunction with, speech. Gestures
include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. Gestures differ from physical non-
verbal communication that does not communicate specific messages, such as purely expressive displays,
proxemics, or displays of joint attention. Gestures allow individuals to communicate a variety of feelings
and thoughts, from contempt and hostility to approval and affection, often together with body language
in addition to words when they speak. Gestures have a cultural significance (meaning). The same
gesture can mean different things in different cultures and different parts of the world.
Non Verbal Gesture in India

Like any distinct culture with a rich history, India has many nonverbal traits that it can call its own. India
is a high context culture, there is much reliance on verbal gesture. In order to fully understand the scope
and depth of any culture’s nonverbal communication, and you need to be a part of that culture. As
foreign outsiders looking at Indian culture, there is no way to completely understand the meaning of
every piece of nonverbal communication. This understanding can only be gained from study and looking
what other people have learned from watching Indians in their everyday culture. Here are a few
components of Indian nonverbal culture that we have pinpointed as important to understanding the
culture:
Namasta
In India, people greet each other using the word “Namasta” and they put their palms together in front of
their chest and give a slight bow of head. Namasta sometimes spoken as Namaskar, Namaskaram is a
respectful form of greeting in Hindu custom, found on the Indian subcontinent mainly in India and Nepal
and among the Indian diaspora. It is used both for salutation and valediction. Namasta means "I bow to
the divine in you”. The greeting may also be spoken without the gesture or the gesture performed
wordlessly, carrying the same meaning.
Abhayamudra
The Abhayamudrā "gesture of fearlessness" is a mudrā (gesture) that is the gesture of reassurance and
safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in many Indian religions. The right
hand is held upright, and the palm is facing outwards. The abhayamudrā represents protection, peace,
benevolence and the dispelling of fear.
Pranāma
Praṇāma ("obeisance, bowing down") is a form of "respectful salutation" or "reverential bowing" before
something, or another person - usually grandparents, parents, elders or teachers or someone deeply
respected such as a deity. It is found in Indian culture.
Charanasparha
A form of pranama is Charanasparsha (touching the feet) a bowing combined with the touching of the
feet, as a mark of respect. It may be seen in temples during darshan. This related type of pranama is
most common in Indian culture. It is done in order to show respect towards elderly people like parents,
grandparents, elderly relatives, teachers and saints.
Añjali Mudrā
Añjali Mudrā is a hand gesture which is practiced throughout Asia and beyond. It is used as a sign of
respect and a greeting in India, and amongst yoga practitioners and adherents of similar traditions. The
gesture is incorporated into many yoga asanas. The gesture is also used for worship in many Eastern
religions. Anjali mudra is performed by pressing the palms of the hands together. The fingers are
together with fingertips pointing up. The hands are pressed together firmly and evenly.
Head bobble
The head bobble, or Indian head shake refers to a common gesture found in South Asian cultures, most
notably in India. The motion usually consists of a side-to-side tilting of the head in arcs along the coronal
plane. The head bobble, or Indian head shake refers to a common gesture found in South Asian cultures,
most notably in India. The motion usually consists of a side-to-side tilting of the head in arcs along the
coronal plane.
Use your Right Hand

Use your right hand only to touch someone, pass money or pick up merchandise. Avoid use of the left
hand. It is considered the “unclean” hand. Also accepting item and eating with left hand is considered
offensive.
Take off shoes before entering house

Like other Asian cultures, Indian require the removal of footwear before entering the house.
Touching in Head
Never touch anyone’s head in India, because it is considered the “seat of the soul” and is very offensive.
Touching somebody on the head is considered an insult. This is especially true if this person is a
foreigner or somebody who is foreign to the caste system or family. To the Hindu tradition, the head is
the place where a person's soul resides. We can see the significance of honoring your head in the
placement of red dots by Hindu females who have gone through some of the rites of passage. Touching
somebody else's head without permission or in a wrongful way represents the tarnishing of their soul
and should not be done.
One Arm Length

The Indians have a “one arm length” rule when communicating. Indians generally allow an arm's length
space between themselves and others. Don't stand close to Indians. Indians value personal space.
Touching someone with feet

The feet hold the opposite importance for Indians. Feet are considered dirty and the worst part about a
person. If you touch somebody with your feet then you have severely insulted them. Touching
somebody else's feet is looked at as groveling and begging and again, a person insult to whomever is
committing the act. Touching someone's feet is like licking the ground.

Communication Gesture

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Communication Gesture

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Communication Gesture

A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication or non-vocal communication in which visible bodily

Non Verbal Gesture in India

Use your Right Hand

Take off shoes before entering house

One Arm Length

Touching someone with feet

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