Thupten N Chakrishar
Thupten is based in New York City.
A versatile personality, Thupten N. Chakrishar is a trained Filmmaker, Film Editor/ Cinematographer, Graphic/ Web designer, Mixed media Artist, 3D animator, Author, Poet and an Activist, all rolled in one.
At the age of 19, Thupten N. Chakrishar became the first and the youngest Tibetan in exile to write and publish a fictional novel in English titled “Anything for Tibet, My beloved Country” published by Paljor Publications, followed by his anthology of poems, “Young Tibet”. Thupten’s articles draws a huge readership among Tibetan and non-Tibetan readers, after years of publishing on the internet his controversial piece “Rinpoche, where’s the magic?” still remains the most read article in popular Tibetan sites like www.phayul.com
He studied Graphic and Web designing at the Combit Institute, 3D animation from Square Pixel India and Non Linear Video Editing from RSJ Digital media in New Delhi, India. He later studied Film Directing at the New York Film Academy in New York City.
With over 8 years of professional experience, Thupten has helped numerous companies, NGOs, individuals and Dharma centers around the world. He has also worked as the official graphic designer for His Holiness the Karmapas international magazine “Dharma Nectar” and also for the Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Thupten was instrumental in the birth of Bod Gyalo, the only Tibetan Television news magazine, and has worked in several film projects including internationally acclaimed, award winning documentary film “Shortcut to Nirvana”, Tribeca Film Festival nominated film “The Last Jews of Libya”, RAI Documentary series “Pane Amaro” and most recently “The Election Game”. He also worked as a 3D animator at Moving Pictures Company India, and as an in-house Final Cut pro editor at Queens Public Television Network.
A trained filmmaker, Thupten’s first film “The Paradox of Our Age”, was based on the poem by the same title by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Since then he has directed, shot and edited numerous promos, mini documentaries and News contents.
On July 2006, Thupten’s first documentary film in Tibetan language, about a 12 yrs old musical prodigy Tenzin Kunsel, “Following Kunsel: Saving our past for the future”, was released with an overwhelming applause and critical acclaim at the Office of Tibet, New York City. His current Project “When the Iron Bird Flies” is under post-production and his short film "misstaken" is completed.
Thupten currently lives in New York City and works for Italian National TV Networks; RAI TV , Sky Television Network , LA7, RTI and New Zealands National TV Channel TVnz. He also contributes his time and expertise to Students for a Free Tibet International Headquaters.
Thupten can be reached at vajradog@gmail.com