Kalash Nanda Kumar

Kalash Nanda Kumar is a Malaysian journalist, critic, and filmmaker with a wide portfolio covering culture, environment, and socioeconomic issues.

Kalash graduated with a degree in filmmaking, and gained formative experience on film and television sets in major productions for Warner Bros., BBC One, and Astro Shaw. Subsequently, as a journalist and correspondent, he has written extensively on Malaysian cinema and art, politics, local communities, and environmental issues. His bylines can be found in various outlets such as The Star, R.AGE, Malaysiakini, The Vibes, Cineuropa, FirstClasse, among others.

In his capacity as a critic and culture writer, he has interviewed and profiled award-winning artists and reported from around the world, including Armenia, India, Taiwan and Cannes. Kalash is an alumnus of various talent labs such as GAIFF Pro, Udine Critics Campus, Cineuropa GoCritics program, and Yamagata IDFF Criticism Workshop. As recognition of his work in criticism, Kalash became the first Malaysian to be invited into the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and the Golden Globe awards as an International Voter. Kalash has also participated in various international and regional film festivals, often taking on roles as a juror, programmer, or facilitator. His work has been generously supported by grants and fellowships from Asia-Europe Foundation, EngageMedia (Philippines), National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Climate Tracker, Freedom Film Network, Earth Journalism Network, Malaysia Reform Initiative, USAID, US Embassy Kuala Lumpur and more.

Beyond journalism, Kalash advocates for reform through affiliations with non-profits. He was a founding member and former communications director for Imagined Malaysia, and currently serves as senior programme coordinator for CSO Platform for Reform. He holds active memberships in NETPAC, MyDocs, PEN Malaysia, and NUJ Malaysia.

A lot of my work in journalism, film or advocacy is motivated through untangling the question of how we move beyond theory into praxis and service to all who are structurally disadvantaged. How do we build the society we want to live in? Being able to move this needle, whether through direct action, mutual aid projects, or professional work is how I would like to dedicate my energy and resources.