Thursday, November 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Uttam Kumar Thangiah's CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Personal
Formal Name – Kumaraveloo Thangiah
New Identity Card Number – 530326-02-5645
Born – 26th March, 1953 in the state of Kedah, Malaysia.
Malaysian citizen of Indian, Tamil descent.
Single, and enjoy being so. Nevertheless value family life and filial
piety.
Active sportsman in school & early youth, with particular interest in long distance running. Ran a full marathon in 1982, and several half marathons thereafter. Still keeping fit with regular jogging and gym workouts (at the age of 55).
Interests include films, Indian film music, jazz, books and painting.
Admire greatly the works of Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, Satyajit
Ray, Federico Fellini, Vittorio de Sica, Andrzej Wajda, Raj Kapoor,
Sridhar, Sydney Lumet, Alan Parker in feature films; John Grierson,
and Humphrey Jennings in documentary films: Hermann Hesse, Milan
Kundera, Yukio Mishima, Rabindranath Tagore and Kahlil Gibran in
literature, Paul Cezzane and the French Impressionists in art.
My career goal – To attain international recognition as a feature and
documentary film maker.
My career philosophy – To make a small but nevertheless meaningful contribution to humanity through my films and writing, by being a voice for the plights of the under-privileged, the physically and mentally challenged, and the victims of social and political oppressions.
My religion – Truth, Friendship and Love.
Unforgettable words - “Death is the mirror of Life”, spoken by
the Hungarian film director Istvan Gaal during a film workshop at FTII
to explain the element of Death in all his films.
Academic/Professional Qualifications
Post-graduate Diploma in Cinema (Direction major) from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. (1982 - 1985)
Certificate Course in Television Production Methodology from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (1986)
Schooling – Sixth Form with a full Cambridge Higher School Certificate
with high principal grades in Art, Economics and Geography.
Employment / Contracts
Worked as an accounts and statistics clerk in Citibank (Penang)
from 1974 to 1982. Resigned to pursue film studies in India.
Worked for a short period of six months in 1986 for a production
house in Penang, (Thoong Videolab), as an in-house director for
corporate videos and commercials.
Worked on retainer and contract basis for Ramavision Sdn. Bhd.
(Kuala Lumpur) from 1986 end to 1993, as a director for television
dramas and corporate & training videos. Amongst the corporate videos
co-scripted and directed were for clients such as Malaysia Airlines,
Sterling Health, Melewar Corporation, Euromedical Industries.
Produced and directed on sub-contract basis from 1993 to 1996, more
than 30 episodes of Nadaria / Nadasuria, weekly magazine and
entertainment programmes in the Tamil language for Pro-Majestic
Sdn. Bhd.
Worked fulltime with Vision Four Sdn. Bhd for about a year between
1996 and 1997, as creative director for the tourism documentary series
“Vision Malaysia”. Reason for leaving - Vision Four lost its contract with
the Tourism Promotion Board with the onset of the economic downturn
in 1997.
Formed with friends Abadi Ace Films Sdn. Bhd. in 1997 for
the business of producing telemovies and serials for the Malaysian TV
stations. My role writer, director for the company’s Tamil and Hindi
productions. The company produced four telemovies and co-produced
one drama serial with HVD Productions Sdn. Bhd. Abadi Ace is now
known as Abadi Media Sdn. Bhd.
Between major projects, I have worked on freelance basis as
scriptwriter and line-producer for several corporate videos.
Continue to freelance as writer, director and consultant for feature
The following corporate videos for various agencies through
Ramavision Sdn. Bhd.
MAS – EXCELLENCE IN AVIATION
MAS – BAGGAGE SERVICES
MELEWAR CORPORATION – A CORPORATE PROFILE
STERLING HEALTH – A VISION FOR MISSION
For other agencies and production houses:
EUROMEDICAL INDUSTRIES – THE MALAYSIAN CHAPTER
SMHB – LIVELINE FOR KLANG VALLEY (SUNGAI SELANGOR)
SMHB – BUKIT LANCHANG HIGHWAY PROJECT
Produced and directed on sub-contract basis from 1993 to 1996, more
than 100 episodes of the weekly magazine and entertainment
programme Nadasuara in the Tamil language for Pro-Majestic Sdn.
Bhd., the contracted producers for TV2’s Nadasuara. Nadasuara was
later split into 2 separate programmes, called Nadasuara and Nadaria.
In the same period, scripted, directed, and produced on sub-contract basis the following Tamil TV dramas for other production companies :
VINAYAGAN (for Bettercam TV Facilites)
NENJILE EERAM (for Kine Graphic Sdn. Bhd.)
NOORANDU KANAVU (for Zaikura Filem Sdn. Bhd.)
The following dramas and telemovies for Abadi Media Sdn. Bhd.
PALLAVI (Tamil)
SAPNA (Hindi)
APNA FARZ (Punjabi)
LOVE or KAADHAL ENBATHU PALLAVIANAL (Tamil)
Directed 15 episodes of a cooking programme in Tamil called “Suvaiyana Samayal” for Kine Graphic Sdn. Bhd.
Created concepts and directed TVCs and radio jingles for the following direct clients:
ALAGAPPA FLOUR MILLS
GEMINI FLOUR MILLS
MP LINGAM & SONS
REDIFOOD INDUSTRIES
BUN GUAN BROTHERS
LEVER BROTHERS
ENRICO’S
Completed English feature film script “RUMBLES IN THE SKY”.
Projects in 2001
Between August 2000 and June 2001, I was again called to direct
about 40 episodes of the musical programme Nadaria.
Completed a long outstanding drama for HVD Productions – PUNYA BOOMI
Projects in 2002
Scripted and directed a 6-episodes Tamil drama serial for Grande Maria Productions – NENJILE ORU RAGAM, which was aired on TV2 in June/July 2002.
Scripted and directed an 8-episodes Malay documentary series for the same company – MINDA DAN EMOSI, (a series on mental health) which began on TV1 from January 2003.
Created the concept for a Tamil magazine programme for the same company – RAGAJIWA, released on TV1 in April 2003.
Projects in 2003
Salvaged the English documentary series titled EMBASSY DOOR for Purplefig Productions which was previously rejected by RTM. Created new format and concept for the programme and directed six episodes which found release in October / November 2003.
Scripted, directed and co-produced an independent documentary titled “REBEL DANCER” for local and international distribution.
Directed a corporate profile of Amanah Raya Berhad (Public Trustee Board of Malaysia) for World Communications Sdn. Bhd.
Directed the videoclip “Orang Kura
Projects in 2004
Scripted and directed a 6-episodes Tamil drama serial for Kine Graphic Sdn Bhd – ORU PENN PURA, which was aired on RTM2 in March 2004.
Wrote corporate video scripts for “DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER” – CENTURY LOGISTICS CORPORATION BERHAD, ORNA PAPER MILLS SDN BHD,
Started groundwork for Malay feature film project – ABOO! WARIS TERAKHIR, a horror / suspense thriller. Project put on hold due to changing trends in Malaysian film scene.
Collaborated with Kuwaiti director Amer Alzuhair for his short feature in English, MRS. HANAN. Project was completed by Amer with support from the Kuwaiti Film Commission.
Directed PUTRAJAYA CORPORATE PROFILE for Film Point Sdn Bhd.
Projects in 2005
Completed feature film script PULAU ASMARA.
Wrote songs for Sabera Sheik’s stage play, MY BOLLYWOOD SUMMER
English scriptwriter and translator for RTM’s Cantonese mega series TIN GEI BIN.
Directed Ministry of Higher Education’s corporate video “KEARAH KECEMERLANGAN”
Consultant and re-editing supervisor for SG Entertainment Sdn. Bhd.’s maiden television project THIRUMBIPAAR (Tamil drama serial).
Partly directed VESTAR PRODUCT VIDEO for World Communications Sdn. Bhd.
Directed the Deepavali special documentary DEEPAM for Kine Graphic Sdn. Bhd.
Projects in 2006
Directed 2 seasons of RTM’s Tamil weekly magazine programme VANAKAM MALAYSIA for Pro-majestic Productions Sdn. Bhd.
Directed the highly appreciated medical documentary on Alzheimer’s Disease MASIH KU INGAT LAGI for Norvatis, Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation of Malaysia and Bintang Lantas Sdn. Bhd.
Running intensive weekend Screenplay Writing Courses for beginners.
Doing groundwork for first Malay Feature film venture PULAU ASMARA set to begin shooting in early 2007.
END
Formal Name – Kumaraveloo Thangiah
New Identity Card Number – 530326-02-5645
Born – 26th March, 1953 in the state of Kedah, Malaysia.
Malaysian citizen of Indian, Tamil descent.
Single, and enjoy being so. Nevertheless value family life and filial
piety.
Active sportsman in school & early youth, with particular interest in long distance running. Ran a full marathon in 1982, and several half marathons thereafter. Still keeping fit with regular jogging and gym workouts (at the age of 55).
Interests include films, Indian film music, jazz, books and painting.
Admire greatly the works of Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, Satyajit
Ray, Federico Fellini, Vittorio de Sica, Andrzej Wajda, Raj Kapoor,
Sridhar, Sydney Lumet, Alan Parker in feature films; John Grierson,
and Humphrey Jennings in documentary films: Hermann Hesse, Milan
Kundera, Yukio Mishima, Rabindranath Tagore and Kahlil Gibran in
literature, Paul Cezzane and the French Impressionists in art.
My career goal – To attain international recognition as a feature and
documentary film maker.
My career philosophy – To make a small but nevertheless meaningful contribution to humanity through my films and writing, by being a voice for the plights of the under-privileged, the physically and mentally challenged, and the victims of social and political oppressions.
My religion – Truth, Friendship and Love.
Unforgettable words - “Death is the mirror of Life”, spoken by
the Hungarian film director Istvan Gaal during a film workshop at FTII
to explain the element of Death in all his films.
Academic/Professional Qualifications
Post-graduate Diploma in Cinema (Direction major) from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. (1982 - 1985)
Certificate Course in Television Production Methodology from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (1986)
Schooling – Sixth Form with a full Cambridge Higher School Certificate
with high principal grades in Art, Economics and Geography.
Language Proficiency
English - Advanced level in reading, writing and spoken
Malay - Intermediate in reading, writing and spoken
Tamil - Intermediate in reading, writing and spoken
Hindi - Basic spoken
Hokkien (Fukien) - Basic spoken
German - Foundation I (Grundstufe 1)
Employment / Contracts
Worked as an accounts and statistics clerk in Citibank (Penang)
from 1974 to 1982. Resigned to pursue film studies in India.
Worked for a short period of six months in 1986 for a production
house in Penang, (Thoong Videolab), as an in-house director for
corporate videos and commercials.
Worked on retainer and contract basis for Ramavision Sdn. Bhd.
(Kuala Lumpur) from 1986 end to 1993, as a director for television
dramas and corporate & training videos. Amongst the corporate videos
co-scripted and directed were for clients such as Malaysia Airlines,
Sterling Health, Melewar Corporation, Euromedical Industries.
Produced and directed on sub-contract basis from 1993 to 1996, more
than 30 episodes of Nadaria / Nadasuria, weekly magazine and
entertainment programmes in the Tamil language for Pro-Majestic
Sdn. Bhd.
Worked fulltime with Vision Four Sdn. Bhd for about a year between
1996 and 1997, as creative director for the tourism documentary series
“Vision Malaysia”. Reason for leaving - Vision Four lost its contract with
the Tourism Promotion Board with the onset of the economic downturn
in 1997.
Formed with friends Abadi Ace Films Sdn. Bhd. in 1997 for
the business of producing telemovies and serials for the Malaysian TV
stations. My role writer, director for the company’s Tamil and Hindi
productions. The company produced four telemovies and co-produced
one drama serial with HVD Productions Sdn. Bhd. Abadi Ace is now
known as Abadi Media Sdn. Bhd.
Between major projects, I have worked on freelance basis as
scriptwriter and line-producer for several corporate videos.
Continue to freelance as writer, director and consultant for feature
films, television dramas and documentaries besides collaborating
with international producers and directors on independent projects.
FILMOGRAPHY
Projects prior to 2001
Between 1985 and 1993, scripted and directed the following Tamil TV
dramas for Ramavision Sdn.Bhd. all of which found successful
release on TV2:
MATHAPU
THEEYIL PIRANTHA OLI
NEETHIKU ORU NAYAGAN
Projects prior to 2001
Between 1985 and 1993, scripted and directed the following Tamil TV
dramas for Ramavision Sdn.Bhd. all of which found successful
release on TV2:
MATHAPU
THEEYIL PIRANTHA OLI
NEETHIKU ORU NAYAGAN
The following corporate videos for various agencies through
Ramavision Sdn. Bhd.
MAS – EXCELLENCE IN AVIATION
MAS – BAGGAGE SERVICES
MELEWAR CORPORATION – A CORPORATE PROFILE
STERLING HEALTH – A VISION FOR MISSION
For other agencies and production houses:
EUROMEDICAL INDUSTRIES – THE MALAYSIAN CHAPTER
SMHB – LIVELINE FOR KLANG VALLEY (SUNGAI SELANGOR)
SMHB – BUKIT LANCHANG HIGHWAY PROJECT
Produced and directed on sub-contract basis from 1993 to 1996, more
than 100 episodes of the weekly magazine and entertainment
programme Nadasuara in the Tamil language for Pro-Majestic Sdn.
Bhd., the contracted producers for TV2’s Nadasuara. Nadasuara was
later split into 2 separate programmes, called Nadasuara and Nadaria.
In the same period, scripted, directed, and produced on sub-contract basis the following Tamil TV dramas for other production companies :
VINAYAGAN (for Bettercam TV Facilites)
NENJILE EERAM (for Kine Graphic Sdn. Bhd.)
NOORANDU KANAVU (for Zaikura Filem Sdn. Bhd.)
The following dramas and telemovies for Abadi Media Sdn. Bhd.
PALLAVI (Tamil)
SAPNA (Hindi)
APNA FARZ (Punjabi)
LOVE or KAADHAL ENBATHU PALLAVIANAL (Tamil)
Directed 15 episodes of a cooking programme in Tamil called “Suvaiyana Samayal” for Kine Graphic Sdn. Bhd.
Created concepts and directed TVCs and radio jingles for the following direct clients:
ALAGAPPA FLOUR MILLS
GEMINI FLOUR MILLS
MP LINGAM & SONS
REDIFOOD INDUSTRIES
BUN GUAN BROTHERS
LEVER BROTHERS
ENRICO’S
Completed English feature film script “RUMBLES IN THE SKY”.
Projects in 2001
Between August 2000 and June 2001, I was again called to direct
about 40 episodes of the musical programme Nadaria.
Completed a long outstanding drama for HVD Productions – PUNYA BOOMI
which was aired over September & October 2001.
Projects in 2002
Scripted and directed a 6-episodes Tamil drama serial for Grande Maria Productions – NENJILE ORU RAGAM, which was aired on TV2 in June/July 2002.
Scripted and directed an 8-episodes Malay documentary series for the same company – MINDA DAN EMOSI, (a series on mental health) which began on TV1 from January 2003.
Created the concept for a Tamil magazine programme for the same company – RAGAJIWA, released on TV1 in April 2003.
Projects in 2003
Salvaged the English documentary series titled EMBASSY DOOR for Purplefig Productions which was previously rejected by RTM. Created new format and concept for the programme and directed six episodes which found release in October / November 2003.
Scripted, directed and co-produced an independent documentary titled “REBEL DANCER” for local and international distribution.
Directed a corporate profile of Amanah Raya Berhad (Public Trustee Board of Malaysia) for World Communications Sdn. Bhd.
Directed the videoclip “Orang Kura
ng Upaya” (The Physically Challenged) for the Social Welfare Department through World Communications Sdn. Bhd.
Projects in 2004
Scripted and directed a 6-episodes Tamil drama serial for Kine Graphic Sdn Bhd – ORU PENN PURA, which was aired on RTM2 in March 2004.
Wrote corporate video scripts for “DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER” – CENTURY LOGISTICS CORPORATION BERHAD, ORNA PAPER MILLS SDN BHD,
Started groundwork for Malay feature film project – ABOO! WARIS TERAKHIR, a horror / suspense thriller. Project put on hold due to changing trends in Malaysian film scene.
Collaborated with Kuwaiti director Amer Alzuhair for his short feature in English, MRS. HANAN. Project was completed by Amer with support from the Kuwaiti Film Commission.
Directed PUTRAJAYA CORPORATE PROFILE for Film Point Sdn Bhd.
Projects in 2005
Completed feature film script PULAU ASMARA.
Wrote songs for Sabera Sheik’s stage play, MY BOLLYWOOD SUMMER
English scriptwriter and translator for RTM’s Cantonese mega series TIN GEI BIN.
Directed Ministry of Higher Education’s corporate video “KEARAH KECEMERLANGAN”
Consultant and re-editing supervisor for SG Entertainment Sdn. Bhd.’s maiden television project THIRUMBIPAAR (Tamil drama serial).
Partly directed VESTAR PRODUCT VIDEO for World Communications Sdn. Bhd.
Directed the Deepavali special documentary DEEPAM for Kine Graphic Sdn. Bhd.
Projects in 2006
Directed 2 seasons of RTM’s Tamil weekly magazine programme VANAKAM MALAYSIA for Pro-majestic Productions Sdn. Bhd.
Directed the highly appreciated medical documentary on Alzheimer’s Disease MASIH KU INGAT LAGI for Norvatis, Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation of Malaysia and Bintang Lantas Sdn. Bhd.
Running intensive weekend Screenplay Writing Courses for beginners.
Doing groundwork for first Malay Feature film venture PULAU ASMARA set to begin shooting in early 2007.
END
Thursday, October 26, 2006
UTAM SONA'S PICTURES
Utam Sona acted in about 10 television dramas and telemovies under the direction of his close buddy Kumar Thangiah. Though he had the best screen presence and showed great improvement in acting from role to role, Sona was never sought after by the other directors. The loss was entirely that of those directors. Here are stills from the various television appearances in the Tamil, Hindi and Punjabi productions that Sona has left behind as legacy of his short screen career in Malaysia.
(above) In a song sequence from SAPNA (Hindi) /PALLAVI (Tamil)
In various moods in SAPNA /PALLAVI
(below) With Suganthi Perumal in "KAADHAL ENBATHU PALLAVIANAL"
As the patriach Kishen Singh in the Punjabi telemovie "APNA FARZ'.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
UNSUNG HERO
Uttam Sona as Lt. Commander Prakash in "SAPNA / PALLAVI"
UNSUNG HERO is a documentary that pays tribute to Utam Singh Sona's involvement in the music and television scenes of Kuala Lumpur, particularlly in the Tamil and Hindi fields. Friends, fellow singers, co-actors and director recall with poignance the unforgettable moments of their involvements with this simple and unassuming performer and a wonderful human being. Here are some of the heart-felt comments by those featured in this documentary.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
WELCOME TO SONA ARTHAUS
SONA ARTHAUS previously known as SONA THEATER is a film and performing arts fostering company inspired by my beloved and departed friend Utam
Singh Sona.
Sona, as he was dearly known to all was a great entertainer, friend-in-need, and resolver of problems for all. He fought, sang, and acted on and off-screen!
Sona lived for love and friendship, fostered goodwill, and dreamt of one day blazing onto the international scene as an actor and producer.
I take it as my solemn duty and destiny to keep alive the spirit of Sona through the works of SONA ARTHAUS.
Uttam Kumar Thangiah
Director
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