DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER &
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Malaysian documentary filmmaker
and creative director,
THINAKKAARAN THAMILCHELVAM
is a Documentary Filmmaker & Creative Director developing and leading culturally grounded documentary projects shaped by human narrative and lived experience. His work explores identity, legacy, and the untold roots that influence contemporary societies with stories designed to resonate beyond borders.
As Co-Founder of Monyads, he brings creative authorship and strategic oversight to each project, guiding it from development through production and positioning. Operating at the intersection of culture and commerce, he crafts documentaries that elevate underrepresented perspectives within a global context.
SELECTED WORKS
A DEVOTEE’S VOW
VISUAL DOC
‘A Devotee’s Vow’ is a short documentary film that follows the journey of a Hindu devotee during Thaipusam festival. It visualises the contrasts and nuances of Thaipusam from the serene perspective of a Thaipusam devotee. This is juxtaposed with the common chaotic and high-energy environment during the festival. ‘A Devotee’s Vow’ has won Best Cinematography award from Flick Fiesta Film Festival 2015.
ANTIDOTE
PARTICIPATORY DOC
ANTIDOTE | skinandsoul.art is a visual artwork by Rupa Subramaniam with conceptualisation and editing by Thinakaaran Tamilchelvam. The work merges body painting with intense and complex personal stories from 30 diverse women over 30 continuous days. These women talk through their pain, celebration, comfort and lies they had to tell to feel safe and accepted in contemporary Malaysian society.
ANTIDOTE
PARTICIPATORY DOC
ANTIDOTE | skinandsoul.art is a visual artwork by Rupa Subramaniam with conceptualisation and editing by Thinakaaran Tamilchelvam. The work merges body painting with intense and complex personal stories from 30 diverse women over 30 continuous days. These women talk through their pain, celebration, comfort and lies they had to tell to feel safe and accepted in contemporary Malaysian society.
APA PANDANG-PANDANG
INTERACTIVE MEDIUM
Apa Pandang-Pandang (What Are You Looking At?) is a project by GoodKids Malaysia. The project aims to illuminate the challenges faced by children in low-income families living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The project’s goal was to build a crowdfunding website with the funds then used to provide access to online education for the children in affected communities. ‘Apa Pandang-Pandang’ uses animation in the form of artwork by children from the communities assisted by GoodKids Malaysia
SKIN
POETIC DOC
SKIN is an exploration of culture, race, bodies and identity. It uses performance arts, music and moving images to illustrate the ideas around the effects of colonialism and decolonisation process endured by Malaysian Indians in contemporary Malaysia.
SKIN
POETIC DOC
SKIN is an exploration of culture, race, bodies and identity. It uses performance arts, music and moving images to illustrate the ideas around the effects of colonialism and decolonisation process endured by Malaysian Indians in contemporary Malaysia.
37 YEARS OF ART,
ACTIVISM & ADVOCACY
— FIVE ARTS CENTRE
ARCHIVAL DOC
Made in conjunction with Five Arts Centre (FAC) Malaysia’s 37th anniversary, this work commemorates and celebrates FAC’s enduring contribution towards Malaysia’s Arts, Activism and Advocacy. This short video explores and illustrates FAC’s vision and mission by way of performative art, archival material, and history. It features stage plays and performances by local artists, writers, directors, actors and production teams combined with one of a kind sound design and music.
THAMARUM AMARUM
MUSICAL DOC
‘Thamarum Amarum’ is a music video depicting Thiruppugazh, a 15th century anthology of Tamil religious songs dedicated to Lord Murugan and written by Tamil Poet-Saint Arunagirinaadhar. It explores the poetic grandeur and political discussions from the anthology in order to visualise its relevance in contemporary society. The sound and visual philosophy combines mellow and divine themes to portray the softness yet gritty contrast in the poems. The work is a collaboration with Malaysia’s renowned music director Santosh Logandran and was produced in conjunction with Thaipusam festival 2021 amidst a pandemic lockdown with limited resources.
THAMARUM AMARUM
MUSICAL DOC
‘Thamarum Amarum’ is a music video depicting Thiruppugazh, a 15th century anthology of Tamil religious songs dedicated to Lord Murugan and written by Tamil Poet-Saint Arunagirinaadhar. It explores the poetic grandeur and political discussions from the anthology in order to visualise its relevance in contemporary society. The sound and visual philosophy combines mellow and divine themes to portray the softness yet gritty contrast in the poems. The work is a collaboration with Malaysia’s renowned music director Santosh Logandran and was produced in conjunction with Thaipusam festival 2021 amidst a pandemic lockdown with limited resources.
RECOGNITION
-
Featured in Free Malaysia Today, The Rakyat Post,Juice Online, Oriental Daily News
(Ink Narratives : House of OMA – Documentary Director & Producer)
2025 -
Impact Malaysia Grant Recipient (Documentary)
2024 -
FreedomFilm Fellowship Recipient
Impact Docs Award (Dont Rock The Boat)
Associate Editor, Colorist & Sound Mixer
2023 -
MIWPV Judging Panel
MIWPV Award Judge – Video Category
2022 -
Varnam Malaysia
SKIN Poetic Documentary Feature
BASKL
SKIN Poetic Documentary Feature
BFM
SKIN Poetic Documentary Feature
Cult Creative KL
Featured
2021 -
Varnam Malaysia
Featured Article for Pandemic
2020 -
Banana Leaf Exhibition
Featured Documentary
2019 -
MIWPV Awards
Best Cinematic
Best Story
Best Pre Wedding
Best Editor
Best Bride Getting Ready
2018 -
Flick Fiesta Award
Best Cinematography
2015