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Charisma

G. S. Balakrishnan

OUT OF sheer curiosity, I delved into dictionaries and compendiums to trace the origin and growth of the word, charisma. It is derived from the Greek root, kharis, meaning divine gift or grace. Messiahs and prophets were described charismatic. It is an a nagram evolved by changing the order of the letters in the word, charm. The letters ``i'' and ``s'' were added by medieval monks credited with coining the word. For a long time, the word was restricted to theology and carried a cryptic overtone. Webster' s third dictionary included it, with the additional meaning, personal magnetism.

Max Weber, the German sociologist, is believed to have extended the connotation of the word and used it in lay contexts. Today, not only are such gifted evangelists as Billy Graham, charismatic, even personalities with aura figuring in politics, films, s cience and sports share the distinction. Paraphrasing Churchill, while most of us lead humdrum lives as worms, the charismatic shine as glow worms! What is the inner mechanism that makes them tick? How do they cast a spell on others?

Physical features do not contribute much to personal magnetism. Some of the great figures, who gathered round them a persona, were not cast in a big mould. Lenin and Lal Bahadur Shastri were short men. Stalin was not more than five feet tall, with a narr ow short body and disproportionately long legs. The tremendous magnetism of V. K. Krishna Menon cannot be related to his physical build. The diminutive and frail Sai Baba is such a big draw!

The magnetism of Lawrence of Arabia, who figures in all literature on charisma, is often attributed to his passion for taking risks. No doubt, the Arab revolt against Turks, engineered by him, was a fiery ordeal. But his hypnotism did not rest on a singl e trait. His knowledge of the theory and technique of war was amazing. He was proficient at a variety of jobs, ranging from aerobatics to vetting camels. A finished scholar with an eye for beauty, he pursued ideals with the zeal of a fanatic. Which of th ese qualities helped him win the overwhelming love and loyalty of the Arabs and boost him into a legendary figure?

Next in the list of charismatic people are Napoleon and Garibaldi committed to the realisation of big dreams. Some club Joan of Arc with them. All believed they had been chosen for a mission. Napoleon and Garibaldi called themselves men of destiny. With only visions and voices to back her, Joan succeeded in the siege of Orleans.

Did their charisma rest on the tenacity of will? But many others who followed an ideal with similar persistence and devotion were seldom called dynamic. Isaac Newton and Einstein were never elevated into icons and deified.

The other factors listed against charisma are the gift of the gab, a keen sense of humour and the luck to be born at the right moment.

Fervent Freudians, however, trace charisma to an unpleasant childhood marked by poverty, squalour, disease and disturbed homes. Charisma results when an attempt is made to overcome one's repulsive origins and self-image and evolve into a new and better b eing. This is extended to private disabilities as well. A touch of sadness perhaps is at the back of all personal magnetism!