Jigyasa Giri

Jigyasa Giri launched Devaniya as the Kathak dance school of Chennai. She is a Kathak dancer, teacher & choreographer. She has taught at Bangkok and Mumbai, and has been teaching in Chennai since 2001. She has been recognized by the Guild of Women Achievers for bringing about a cross cultural synergy in the field of dance.

She has trained under the tutelage of Late Guru Natyashri Krishna Kumar Dharwar in the Banaras Gharana. She has also trained under Guru Dr. Maya Rao, Director, Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography, Bangalore.

Jigyasa is also a publisher and cookbook author along with her friend and partner, Pratibha Jain, at PRITYA which is a space for documentation of traditional wisdom.  Their first book “Cooking at Home with Pedatha” won the Best Vegetarian Cookbook in the World, 2006. In December 2008, they published their second cookbook based on Ayurvedic insights titled “Sukham Ayu” which won the second place for Best Health & Nutrition Cookbook in the World, 2009.

Jigyasa and Pratibha are trustees & resource facilitators of Satya Surabhi Trust which runs a school in Kodaikanal called “My School Satya Surabhi”. This school provides quality and value-based education and nutritious noon meals to its students who are primarily the children of the farm labourers and petty vendors of Attuvampatti.

Jigyasa is married to Mr V.V.Giri (hotelier and hospitality business strategist), grandson of India’s former President, Bharat Ratna Dr V.V.Giri. She is the daughter-in-law of Dr. Mohini Giri, Former Chairperson, National Commission for Women & Honorary Chairperson, Guild for service, North India. Dr. Mohini Giri is India’s leading Women’s and Widow’s Rights activist. She has been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement to Jigyasa.