Multiculturalism and Transculturalism, a by-product of post-colonialism and globalization, is a concept that finds prominence in the new literatures of the world today. In contemporary life when distances have been reduced and barriers have come down between the different corners of the world, it is quite natural that cultures of the world will come into contact with one another. These cultural encounters form a society that acquires a multicultural or transcultural character. Writers of this new world order reflect this new trend in their works. Multiculturalism and its effects such as hybridization, fragmentation, alienation, loss of roots, and consequent problems of adjustment and assimilation are dealt with extensively by them. Salman Rushdie, one of the foremost writers belonging to this genre, has highlighted this complex issue in all his works. His novel The Ground Beneath her Feet is an excellent work based completely on transcultural experience and imagination. Regarded by many as being too western in its approach, the novel has an undercurrent of eastern influence as well hidden beneath an outer cosmopolitan appearance. This paper deals with this cultural variation present throughout the novel that gives new shades to the characters, their lives, and the decisions they take in life. Ormus, Vina and Rai are all Indians who choose to cross over to the West to fulfill their destinies and embrace the other culture in totality. Both the worlds (East and West) are actually juxtaposed in the psyche of the characters, both exerting their influences at various points of their lives. Based on the variedness of cultures, the novel presents a classical story, which is entirely modern and relevant to our times in its approach and presentation.

The moment man first ventured out in search of new lands was precisely the moment when he set the ball rolling for a new phenomenon to take place. Multiculturalism as we know of it today is a result of crossing the barriers into the unknown, of coming in contact with the `otherworld'. Both the worlds are the same in essence but exist on different planes. The bringing together of these differences give birth to multiculturalism; a potpourri of varied cultural mixes. In this potpourri, the `otherness' loses its sharpness by lending its distinctness to the whole, thereby adding and enriching it.

This transcultural experience of going beyond one's world, across one's indigenous culture and embracing the other, the new is an integral part and parcel of modern life. The continued process of immigration in search of new lives, new dreams and hopes has given impetus to this transcultural experience.