Watch the body

What do you think of body language?” I ask my friend Gokuldas, while we take a stroll around India Gate. “Body language is univers...

What do you think of body language?” I ask my friend Gokuldas, while we take a stroll around India Gate. “Body language is universal. Everyone speaks it. It is one language that rarely ever covers up the truth,” Gokuldas responds with a twinkle in his eye.

“That sounds rather farfetched,” I indicate my reservations. “Believe me, it is one language that can survive a lie detection test,” Gokuldas repeats his stand.

“I find it hard to take you at your word,” I can be stubborn like the mule. This is one of those occasions when I am in that mood. “Scepticism and you are two sides of the same coin. But I know how to dispel your fears,” Gokuldas grins.

“Try it,” I challenge him.

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“Let me take, for the purpose of illustration, the body language of L.K. Advani, currently in the eye of a storm after his discovery of the secular credentials of Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah,” Gokuldas gives me a confident look.

“I am all ears,” I react.

“Well, have you watched Advani? Have you noticed that the parts of his body that best express his inner thoughts and emotions are his hands? Often he clasps both the hands while he keeps his voice low and tries to plead for a cause logically. The clasped hands, I believe, are doubly as strong as a mailed fist. Further, when the hands are held tight one’s inner conflicts get contained in them. Advani, I believe, is a past master in the art of retaining his cool while deep within he rages with fury because he finds the inability of the audience to get his point readily rather frustrating.”

“Maybe you are right. But you have interpreted only one part of his body language,” I wait for Gokuldas’s response.

“Have you noticed Advani stretch out his hands and hold his palms upwards? I believe he resorts to this signal to convince the people why they should go along with him. It is very much an appeal to his colleagues and followers to be patient and to remain firm in their faith in his leadership.”

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“Aha,” I wait for further insights into Advani’s body language.

“Another gesture that he often uses is to extend his hands out, fingers spread out. The posture indicates that he feels confident that he has carried the day and that there is no further need for discussion. It is very much akin to the signal that the policeman uses to stop all traffic except the one from the direction he chooses,” Gokuldas chuckles, before asking, “Are you satisfied?”

“I think that you have proved your point,” I commend him for his analyses.