Kalyani Giri oral history interview and transcript

Abstract

Kalyani Giri was born as the oldest of four siblings in 1961 to an Indian South African family during South Africa’s apartheid years, later influencing her dedication to promoting tolerance and understanding for future generations. She first enrolled in the University of Durban Westville to pursuer a fine arts degree, but as student riots broke out she discontinued her studies there and instead went on to pursue a carnatic music degree in Madras, India, where she met her husband. Her husband then moved to the United States, with Mrs. Giri leaving South Africa to join him in Houston in 1991. She worked as a music teacher, teaching the classical Indian music she had studied in college, but after writing a review on an Indian dance performance for Asian Woman Magazine, Mrs. Giri slowly discovered a passion for journalism and cultural exchange, ultimately leading to her establishment of HUM Magazine.