YouTube - uttamkumarthangiah

YouTube - uttamkumarthangiah

SONA ARTHAUS SCRIPT WRITING WORKSHOP

SONA ARTHAUS conducts a 4+2 days scriptwriting workshop starting 5th February 2009. The intensive training will help participants develop story ideas into full length feature film or telemovie scripts.

Classes will be held as follows:

5th & 6th February (Thur & Fri) 6.00 - 10.00 pm

7th & 8th February (Sat & Sun) 8.00 am - 5 pm

The workshop will be conducted by Mr. Uttam Kumar Thangiah, trained and experienced writer/director for film and television. Mr. Kumar recently returned from the renowned European film training institution, THE MEDITERRANEAN FILM INSTITUTE in Greece after a 6-months intensive international scriptwriting workshop. He is also an alumnus (in Film Direction & Scriptwriting) of the famous FILM & TELEVISION INSTITUTE in Pune, India.

Mr. Kumar will combine MFI as well as BBC teaching methods to take participants from basic story ideas through different approaches to storytelling, and guide them to develop full length scripts.

Participants will find the group sessions both stimulating and challenging.

Each partcipant is required to submit during registration a story idea or synopsis of the story he/she wishes to develop into a script. The partcipant should be focused in developing the idea into a full fledged script even beyond the duration of the workshop. Partcipants with a first draft script are also welcome as the workshop will serve as a 'testing ground' and provide fresh ideas.

The success of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE at the Golden Globe Awards opens the door to simple stories about simple people from Asia, and other parts of the world. It is the era of CROSSOVER SCRIPTS.

Mr. Kumar encourages working adults to enroll as classes are conducted after office hours and during the weekends.

Enrollment is limited to 6 participants only per session.

Course Fees: RM1,800
Registration: RM100

Please email or call for further details on venue and timetable.

email: ukthangiah@gmail.com

mobile phone: +6017-3131185

Uttam Kumar with MFI partcipants from Cyprus, Lithuania & the Czech Republic

I AM SAILING! I AM SAILING!

After the MFI Advanced Scriptwriting Workshop in Nissyros - Greece, I made my way to that dreamland called Croatia - another jewel in the Mediterranean, the unspoilt legacyof the Roman Empire abound with pristine natural environment and beauty!

(On the AGOUDIMOS)

(With George of the AGOUDIMOS)


For most Malaysians the name Croatia remains a puzzle, what more the name Dubrovnik. That is where I headed to in Croatia by the ferry AGOUDIMOS Patras in Greece to Bari in Southern Italy. Thereafter I sailed to Dubrovnik - The Pearl of the Mediterranean, by the JADROLINIJA.

Both the boat trips were amazing experiences! I was the only black Indian aboard the vessels with shiploads of whites! And what a mix of people there were - for it was the sweltering summer and Europeans from the cold belt were rushing to Dubrovnik to soak in its sun and culture.

Austrians, Italians, Romanians, Dutch, Germans, ... it was hard for me to tell one from the other

of course!

The most interesting though sometimes tiring part of the passage was in trying to maintain a conversation with them - for English was hardly spoken or understood there! But sign language and some elementary German did come in handy. and broke the ice with some rather friendly travellers. As opposed to common believe back home that Europeans are cold and reserved, my experience with these fellow seafarers was filled with warmth and fun!

The ship's crew on the Agoudimos were a pleasant and jovial bunch of Greek men. (I did wonder why women do not work on ships!)

Iorgo (George) from the Deck Bar became a good friend. He is a big guy, but soft spoken and pleasant. The deck was all I could afford to spend the night. But I was not alone. A whole bunch interesting people were travelling the same way.

I was busy casting everyone I saw on the boat as I usually do when I run into interesting and goodlooking faces! Believe me, There were Julia Roberts and Kevin Costners everywhere!

Watching sunrise on the Meditteranean from

the AGOUDIMOS

The AGOUDIMOS stops at the island of

Kefallonia (a campers haven) on its route to and

from Bari (Italy)

ADVANCED SCRIPTWRITING WORKSHOP

In June/July 2008, I attended the first session of the MFI Advanced Scripwriting Workshop on the scenic volcanic island of Nissyros in Greece.

An established film art activity by the Mediterranean Film Institue of Athens, the 15 days workshop was both charming and stimulating. The shared experience of a creative process with participants of different cultural and social backgrounds, different personal traits and tastes and yet with a common ambition was truly unforgettable. And all these with the beautiful setting of a quaint Meditteranean island was an experience worth travelling those thousands of kilometres for thousands of dollars!

Greece, Greeks and the Greek experience will remain a cherished episode of my life.

PUNYA BOOMI ... marupiravi

PUNYA BOOMI ... marupiravi is a 113 mins film about the trials and tribulations of factory workers who were retrenched during the Economic recession of 1985 in Malaysia. Based on a series of true accounts by affected workers and their families, the film draws you into a emotional journey of love, despair, desperation and tragedy.

Outstanding performances by a group of non-actors prove that Malaysia has no dearth of talents before the camera.

Written and directed by trained and seasoned filmmaker Uttam Kumar Thangiah, the film stars SP Nathan and Jayashree in the lead roles of Muthu and Lakshmi. Others in the cast include Utam Sona, Vijay Maniam, Uttam Kumar Thangiah, Shamala, Nala Nantha, Suria Dewi, Susila Thiruchelvam, Dr. SS Gill and Ratha Sakubhai.

Music score by P Kesavan, the film has two songs penned by the director himself.

PUNYA BOOMI ... marupiravi was screened at the Indie-cine KLPAC in Kuala Lumpur to invited guests on 25th and 26th September 2008.

Soon to be released on DVD nationwide, the film is available for more screenings. Interested parties can contact Uttam Kumar Thangiah on mobile no 6017-3131185 or via email ukthangiah@gmail.com.

Welcome to SONA ARTHAUS

SONA ARTHAUS previously known as SONA THEATER is a film and performing arts 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