Thiru Kumar Oral History Interview

DESCRIPTION
Thiru Kumar owns the most successful Dosa carts in New York, serving dosas inspired by his Tamilian and Sri Lankan roots. Fully content keeping his business on the streets, Thiru has been featured in several NYC news articles and has been going on two decades with his flourishing business.

His dosa cart garners a long line of tourists and locals alike, drawing in crowds from social media, with the line looping far along Washington Square Park. He treats his regulars like family, knowing each of their names and orders by heart.

Thiru moved to the US and started off working odd jobs, including at a gas station, before buying a small cart and starting his business up right outside NYU. Since then he’s been serving students, professionals, tourists, and locals, with many of his regulars coming to him for almost his entire career. Even in the pandemic, Thiru kept his head up high, assured that no matter what happens he will be fine and if his cart can’t come back he will find a new plan. Luckily that wasn't the case, his business remains booming and lines remain long.

AUDIO
Duration: 00:43:33

ADDITIONAL METADATA
Subject(s): Thiru Kumar
Type: Oral History
Source: Archival Creators Fellowship Program
Creator: Sanjana Nigam
Contributor: Thiru Kumar
Location:

PROVENANCE
Collection: Sanjana Nigam Fellowship Project
Donor: Thiru Kumar
Item History: 2022-07-01 (created); 2022-07-06 (modified)

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