Series:

South Asian Women in Los Angeles

Topic:

Community History

Asian American History

Biographical Note:

Immigrant from India.

Interviewer:

Hampapur, Veena

Interviewee:

Keshavan, Jyoti

Persons Present:

Keshavan and Hampapur.

Place Conducted:

Keshavan's home.

Supporting Documents:

Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.

Interviewer Background and Preparation:

The interview was conducted by Veena Hampapur; B.A., anthropology, minor in South Asia studies, UC Berkeley; M.A., anthropology, UCLA. Her research focuses on conceptions of citizenship and identity in the South Asian American diaspora.Hampapur prepared for the interview by reading about the waves of South Asian immigration to the United States. As a graduate student in anthropology, she has conducted research on the South Asian diaspora in the United States which shaped the direction of her inquiries. Veena Hampapur gained access to the participants through her personal and academic networks. Before each interview, she reviewed her previous knowledge of the participant (if any) in order to tailor the interview for each woman's personal experiences.

Processing of Interview:

The transcript is a verbatim transcription of the recording. It was transcribed by a professional transcribing agency using a list of proper names and specialized terminology supplied by the interviewer. Keshavan was then given an opportunity to review the transcript and make corrections and additions. Those corrections were entered into the text without further editing or review on the part of the Center for Oral History Research staff.

Length:

1.5 hrs.

Language:

English

Copyright:

Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.

Audio:

Series Statement:

The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.

Birth—Ethnicity—Childhood in India—Family dwelling—Diet--Friends--Entertainment--Degree of freedom—School description—College description—Work experiences in India—Expectations for immigration while growing up—Reasons for immigration to United States--Marriage--Feelings/expectations of immigration—Planning immigration—Early years in U.S.—Impressions of United States—New skills learned—Circle of friends—Plans for citizenship—Attitudes of Americans—Further education in United States--Work experiences in United States—Raising a family in California—Reflection on immigration and life experiences.

Husband's occupation—More on further education in United States—Visitors from India—Extended family in Los Angeles—Non-Indian friends—Description of current town in Los Angeles—Indians in neighborhood—Changes in United States since immigrating—View on current Indian immigration—Immigration conditions of Indian friends.

Availability of Indian products in United States—Accommodating lack of Indian goods—Indian restaurants—Indian population in Southern California—Indian communities in United States—Types of Indian food available—Indian friends moving back to India—Changes in India since her immigration—Ideas of United States in India.