For the past four years, seasoned television personality Kriya Gangiah has served as one of the hosts on the popular magazine show Mela. The series is known for showcasing the uniquely South African Indian experience and has become a staple in almost every Indian home!
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As expected from any television set, Kriya Gangiah’s day can be anything from being tired, dressing (herself), do her own hair and make-up, including writing her own script. “However, the harder you work the better the show turns out,” she says.
Kriya’s show Mela offers viewers an opportunity to get to know leading figures and innovators in business, the creative and performing arts, fashion, entertainment, and many other sectors.
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In short, these are the kind of people who are making a mark on popular culture, setting trends that others follow, or are presenting new ways of seeing and thinking about our contemporary world.
As the series continues to be a game-changer for the local Indian community, presenter Kriya Gangiah opens up about the importance of a show like this while sharing some of her fondest memories as a presenter on the show.
In Kriya’s think of Mela as an iconic TV show since its inception, she says: “I believe that there is no other program on South African television like Mela. The series continues the legacy of Eastern Mosaic and gives South Africans a window into the exciting, diverse, and colorful Indian culture, food, and traditions.”
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Being extremely proud to be a South African Indian it’s one of the factors that attracted Kriya to be part of Mela.
“It is honestly an honor to be able to showcase our community and what we have to offer. I find that for us as South African Indians, there aren’t many platforms in the country that celebrate what we have to offer as much as Mela does.
“While we are brought up to be conservative, I think it’s so important to highlight and honor our Indian culture and heritage, and being part of a brand that does this so proudly is a dream come true. The Indian community plays a major role in the framework of South Africa and shows like Mela play(s) an imperative part in keeping that fire within us alive.”
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Talking about her favorite story on Mela, Kriya says that her first assignment on the show was a travel segment to Zanzibar.
“Besides the fact that I got to travel to one of the most spectacular destinations in the world, I also got to understand the local culture, the people, and their traditions. It’s such a vibrant community and being on location blended two of my absolute passions – telling stories and travel,” says Kriya.
She also shares that in all the interviews she has conducted on the show, her favorite was when she interviewed comedian Krijay Govender.
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“Not only is she an amazing comedian but she has cemented herself as one of the leading directors and producers in the South African film and television industry. I got to spend time with her and his beautiful family during the segment which was really special as well,” shares Kriya.
Kriya’s versatility when it comes to presenting is very unique and she adapts her skills to the flow and content of any given television show. From presenting Craz-e, presenting for Supersport, and now Mela, these all are different – but here’s how she gets into these different grooves effortlessly:
“Every one of the shows is a subject that I am very passionate about and something that I talk about every day with friends and family. I’ll even talk to a complete stranger about it! So, when I present I try and bring that passion across to the viewers, I try and speak to them like they are sitting right next to me.”
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As a seasoned presenter, Kriya says wannabes should try, try, try, try, and when you want to give up, try again.
“The entertainment industry is not all glitz and glamour and it’s not easy to get into it. So as long as you don’t take no for an answer you’ll be just fine. Oh and be yourself, there is only one of you in the world so celebrate it!”
The COVID-19 is getting closer every day, we have to keep busy, some have lost jobs, and some families are mourning. In terms of keeping herself busy during the lockdown, she says, “I own a digital agency so most of the lockdown consisted of getting my clients digitally ready for the “new normal”.
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“That and a lot of cooking! I’ve been trying so many new recipes during the lockdown. I have perfected the potjie with dumplings, I made a delicious batch of koeksisters and recently found the perfect cheesecake recipe as well.”
Catch Kriya Gangiah on Mela every Sunday at 17:30 on SABC 3.
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