IT seems highly unlikely that Krishan Chawla ever considered the possibility that he might become an Irishman, when on a trip to England and Canada in 1969 he made a detour to Ireland to visit some friends at the Indian Embassy in Dublin.

His death in July at the age of 68 brought to a close a life diverse in experiences.

Born in Sargodha in Pakistan in 1931, his family moved to Delhi in India. There, Krishan enjoyed a privileged education culminating in the Christian Brothers' St Stephen's College, where he took an MA in history. He initially joined his father in the family industry but following his father's premature death, he established his own manufacturing unit in Hariyan, near Delhi.

He was married to Asha (nee Prabodh Chandra), daughter of a leading political family. A revolutionary in the years prior to India's independence, her father was later elected to numerous terms in local and national legislative bodies and ultimately served as a member of government.

Krishan's indirect experiences of political life conflicted with his business life, and it led him to look abroad. In 1968, he was commissioned by the Danish Government to undertake studies into the development of small industries in mainland Europe.

It was in the course of this commission that he first made a trip to Ireland. What he found in terms of quality of life, a relatively underdeveloped economy and trading opportunities not yet exploited by his countrymen appealed to him greatly.

His arrival in Dublin, in November 1969, coincided with the start of a period of economic buoyancy, student revolution and increasing interest in Eastern culture.

From a very small beginning, he set about establishing shops specialising in Indian goods under the trade name Shree. His first premises stood on Dawson Street, at the corner of Molesworth Street. From there, he moved briefly to South Anne Street and shortly after that to a small unit in the newly developed Grafton Court on Grafton Street. A second branch was opened on the corner of St Stephen's Green adjacent to the famous Sinnott and Rice pubs with further branches following on Grafton Street next to the old Switzers store. Branches were later opened in Dun Laoghaire and ILAC Centre.

It was by their Grafton Street shop that Krishan and Asha became well known.

Their shops were an oasis of Eastern products enjoying particular renown for cheesecloth and incense, key accessories for any fashionable 1970s trend setter.

Krishan had a keen eye for property and embraced with gusto the wheelings and dealings of the property market both as a tenant and landlord. Business negotiations with him were inevitably enlightening, educational, unconventional and amusing.

Negotiations were inevitably prolonged and if time allowed encompassed lunch. Dining with him at Indian restaurants resulted in gastronomic feasts "away" from the conventional menu. Although a diabetic, he had an affinity to afternoon tea at the Westbury, where his consumption of cream cakes, eclairs and other pastries gave him a malicious pleasure. He was extraordinarily well-read and a fountain of knowledge on international political, business affairs and management skills, which he was happy to impart with an unrivalled enthusiasm. He relished a challenge, no more so, than when he saw it as a challenge against oppression by the "establishment". In these circumstances, he rose to the task in the belief that irrespective of the contractual or legal position, the moral right must reign supreme. It was a belief which served him well in many of the David & Goliath type legal challenges which he saw through, often earning the reluctant respect of those who had been initially dismissive of his position.

In 1984, he took out Irish citizenship and his pride as an Irishman was a reflection of the many parallels which lay in the emergence of the independent states of India and Ireland. He also revelled in the perversity of being an Irishman of Indian descent. When visiting Korea at a time of civil commotion there, he was detained on a visa technicality. Through the usual means he secured his release but in the process was interviewed by officials who, examining his passport, refreshed their recollection that Ireland was located next to England and were therefore puzzled at the colour of his skin. He assured the guards that all Irish people were dark and took great pleasure afterwards in visualising the visit of the next Irishman to this border post.

His varied business career was supported by his interest in academia and in 1992 he undertook a three-year degree course at Trinity earning him an MSc in Business Management. His unconventional approach to business and his lateral thinking must have been a source of wonder to his tutors and co-students.

In his private life, his interests were predominantly focused on his family, their welfare and their careers. His lifestyle reflected his strong Hindu beliefs. The birth of his grandchildren, the happiness of his children and the return of Asha to study art were all sources of great pride to him.

The recent years of his life were marred by a series of illnesses. Dubbed "The Comeback Kid" by his doctors and nurses, he had an amazing ability to recover from devastating illnesses and embark with renowned vigour on his business and personal interests.

Krishan's passing has left a void with his family and friends. Those of us who knew him well were enriched by the experience and our lives touched by his attitude to life. May he rest in peace.

A O'H