From motorcycle to stall, man carries on dad's traditional Indian food legacy
KUALA LUMPUR: What began as a small side business selling traditional Indian food has now become the main source of livelihood for Thirunavukkarasan Krishnana, 52, who took over the family business after his father suffered a stroke sometime in the 1990s.
KUALA LUMPUR — A humble beginning as a side business selling traditional Indian food has transformed into the primary source of income for Thirunavukkarasan Krishnana, a 52-year-old man who inherited the family enterprise after his father's stroke in the 1990s. The firstborn of three siblings, Thirunavukkarasan was studying engineering at a private college in Petaling Jaya when his father, who worked at the Royal Selangor Golf Club, started selling food from a motorcycle before transitioning to a van to support the family.
Drawing on his experience, Thirunavukkarasan continued the family business while pursuing his studies, driving a pickup truck used for selling sugarcane juice and coconut drinks to various locations such as Taman Ikan Emas in Cheras, Taman Muda in Ampang, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), and the Kelana Jaya area. Today, assisted by his wife and children, Thirunavukkarasan sells a variety of traditional Indian food four times a week at multiple locations, including Putrajaya, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, and TTDI.
Known for his affordable prices and halal-certified offerings, his business has flourished due to its popularity, particularly among the Malay community. With several halal-certified dishes like vadey, chapati, thosai, apam lenggang, and murukku on offer, Thirunavukkarasan's business has experienced a significant boost since joining the UMBI Project in 2021.
The three-year initiative by IKMAS and UKM, supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation, has helped Thirunavukkarasan gain greater exposure, attracting customers from all over Malaysia and increasing his sales.
Looking ahead, Thirunavukkarasan hopes to pass on the family business to his children, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and education to carry forward the legacy. He emphasizes that should they find it challenging to secure a job after graduation, they are always welcome to continue the family business. During Deepavali celebrations, Thirunavukkarasan's story highlights his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to preserving his heritage and family legacy, continuing to delight a multi-racial community with his traditional halal food offerings.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
