Cosmic Cup Founder, RIP
Dallas actor, yogi and restaurateur Kumar Pallana dies at 94
Dallas actor, restaurateur and yogi Kumar Pallana, who opened the Indian vegetarian restaurant Cosmic Cup (now Cosmic Cafe), died on October 10 at age 94.
Pallana was a discovery of director Wes Anderson, who gave him roles in Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums and The Darjeeling Limited. He also appeared in the 2011 film Another Earth, The Terminal and 2010's Anjaana Anjaani.
Pallana had an irrepressible, whimsical side that manifested itself in traits like his lifelong fondness for juggling. According to a lengthy memorial by the AV Club, Kumar was an entertainer dating to the 1950s, who went by the stage name of Kumar of India and did magic feats such as spinning plates, balancing, swordplay and juggling.
Friends appreciated him for his "rascally wisdom."
"Kumar was a lot of things to a lot of people," said Jeff Farrell, of Park Cities Yoga, who considered Kumar a teacher.
A Facebook page dedicated to his memory has been created, and his memory will be celebrated at a USA Film Festival screening of Bottle Rocket, slated for November 7 at the Texas Theater.
"As we were going to press with this program, the news of Kumar Pallana's passing reached us – yet again, he steals the show," said USA Film Festival managing director Ann Alexander. "Although Kumar will not be with us in the physical world for this program, we know that his spirit joins us as his many friends and fans celebrate his screen debut performance and a man who enriched the lives of so many."
A film clip compilation tribute honoring Kumar Pallana will precede the program.
