Close Menu

Remembering our colleague - Krishna Deonarine

Mr. Krishna Deonarine, fondly known as ‘Krish’, was born in Trinidad and Tobago. He migrated to Jamaica (in the early 1960s) to take up employment as a ‘Glass Blower’ at the rank of Senior Laboratory Technologist in the Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. A glass blower is crucial to the proper functioning of research programmes in Chemistry. Apart from repairing and mending valuable pieces of glassware, they assist in the design and building of intricate pieces of apparatus, without which, research projects can grind to a halt. Although stationed in Chemistry, he served the entire science faculty, and did so with pleasure, until his retirement in 1998.

 In 1976, Mr. Deonarine was awarded a fellowship by the Inter-University of Britain to Leeds University, UK to further his studies. His skills were unquestionable, and observing him was like seeing poetry in motion. Many times graduate students would observe Krish at his craft, while he explained the process, and at the same time passed on invaluable glass blowing skills and tips, while engaging in interesting conversation. Numerous Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates, their research supervisors and all members of the Department of Chemistry recognised Krishna Deonarine’s invaluable contribution and held him in the highest esteem.

Krishna, being of East Indian decent, was very involved in the preservation and propagation of Indian Culture in Jamaica, and to no surprise, the sport of cricket. In 1965, Krishna got married to Beryl Charoo (from Vere, Clarendon). This wedding was attended by Henry Jaghai and many other members of the cricket team, of which he was a part. They have a beautiful daughter, Kris Young Tenn. He pioneered a number of activities for programming and popularising Indian culture. Krishna and others started the Indian talent Merry Makers Band in 1966, and attended numerous Indian cultural events across the length and breadth of Jamaica. On July 31, 1966 he started the radio programme, Indian Talent on Parade, on the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) radio, which still runs every Sunday, on Power 106 FM. The entire Jamaica would have gotten the opportunity to enjoy the televised performance of the Merry Makers Band at the Grand Gala held to commemorate the 21st anniversary of Jamaica’s independence in 1983. Representing the Indian community brilliantly, the band made Jamaica proud when it won, in the cultural category, at the UNESCO conference (1978) held in Trinidad and Tobago.

The National Council for Indian Culture in Jamaica presented Krishna Deonarine with the Indo-Jamaican Award in 2002 for his contribution and commitment to Indian Culture. In August 2006, he received the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service from the Government of Jamaica for his commitment to the development of Indian music in Jamaica.

The Department of Chemistry appreciates the support provided by Mr. Krishna Deonarine to its undergraduate and research programmes and his indomitable spirit displayed in his social and cultural interactions.

On behalf of the Department of Chemistry, and the Faculty of Science and Technology, sincere condolences are extended to his family, friends and former colleagues.

Krishna Deonarine at work on the glassblowing lathe

 

Prof. Conrad Ingram, as a PhD student, with glassware built By Krishna Deonarine for his project, which converted ethanol to gasoline.

An article highlighting the importance of glass blowing to science and industry can be found at this link: https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/a-vital-blow-for-chemistry/3004481.article

 

Published on 26 May, 2021

Top of Page