Biography and Works

Assoc. Prof. Sodsai Pantoomkomol

Sodsai Pantoomkomol, née Vanichwattana, was born on March 18th, 1933 in Bangkok, Thailand. She is the second child of Professor Supachai Vanichwattana, a former associate dean for Administrative Affairs and Secretariat, Chulalongkorn University, and Mrs. Prayongsri, nee Laksanasut, a former leading lady of the Siang Sri Krung’s film “Pleng Wan Jai”. She is married to Associate Professor M.D. Trong Pantoomkomol, a former lecturer at Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and have 3 children, Supayong, Daris and Darin who take on their mother’s artistic side and all work in music and theatre business.

“Sodsai Pantoomkomol often says that her first acting teacher is her mother, and her first literature and music teacher is her father. The first person who taught her to sing is Dr. Trong Pantoomkomol who at the time was her senior and the president of Chulalongkorn University’s music club.”

Education

1938 - 1952

• Mater Dei School

1952 - 1956

• Bachelor of Arts (honours) Chulalongkorn University

1958 - 1962

• Master of Arts in Theater, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) By transferring credits from Master of Arts in Theater from University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) where she studied in 1957-1958

Works

1. Directing theatre

• 1964 The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde, produced by Department of English, performed at Faculty of Education’s auditorium, Chulalongkorn University.
• 1965 The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder, produced by Department of English, performed at Faculty of Education’s auditorium, Chulalongkorn University.
• 1966 Look Khong Mae from The Silver Cord by Sydney Howard, Thai script by Sasithorn Polprasit, performed at Faculty of Education’s auditorium, Chulalongkorn University.
• 1970 Tokkata Kaew from The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, performed at Room 60, Faculty of Arts, starred by Arada Sumit, Supoj Chomboon, Pornsawan Tosanguanm and Poomsiri
• 1971 Tokkata Kaew from The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, performed at AUA’s auditorium. 1973 Kerd Pen Tua La Khon from Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello, performed at National Theatre (small theatre)
• 1974 Kerd Pen Tua La Khon from Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello, performed at Faculty of Arts’ theatre
• 1975 Duangsuda Ronnakorn from Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, performed at Faculty of Arts’ theatre
• 1977 Plae Nai Duang Jai, consists of two plays, Pu Chana and Pu Pae, Pu Chana was translated from The Stronger by August Strindberg and Pu Pae from With All My Love I Hate You by Lynda Marchal.
• 1978 Yod Pradthana from The American Dream by Edward Albee, performed at Faculty of Art’s theatre.
• 1979 Khon Dee Tee Setzuan from Good Woman of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht, performed at Faculty of Art’s theatre.
• 1982 Prai Nam from Ondine by Jean Giraudoux, performed at Faculty of Art’s theatre.
• 2003 Yod Pradthana from The American Dream by Edward Albee, performed at Bangkok Theatre.
• 2007 Lam Dee, a play by King Rama VI, adapted from The Good Interpreter by Tristan Bernard, performed at Sala Dusidalai, Dusit Palace in Devalai Ramlik: Arksorn Reunion.
• 2009 Lam Dee, a play by King Rama VI, adapted from The Good Interpreter by Tristan Bernard, performed at Thailand’s Cultural Centre.

2. Directing television series

• 1983 Kham Pipak Sa, adapted from a SEA Write award winning novel of the same name by Chart Kobchit, starred by Kasama Nisaipan, Kulkanit Koomkrong, and Meesak Nakrat.
• 1990 Khon Dee Sri Ayutthaya, adapted from a novel of the same name by Seni Saowapong, starred by Kasama Nisaipan, Kulkanit Koomkrong, and Yaowaret Kodchalak.

3. Translation – adaptation plays

• Tookkata Kaew from The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
• Kerd Pen Tua La Khon from Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello
• Duangsuda Ronnakorn from Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen
• Pu Chana from The Stronger by August Strindberg
• Pu Pae from With All My Love I Hate You by Lynda Marchal
• Yod Pradthana from The American Dream by Edward Albee
• Khon Dee Tee Setzuan from Good Woman of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht
• Prai Nam from Ondine by Jean Giraudoux
• Kham Pipak Sa, a television script from a SEA Write award winning novel of the same name by Chart Kobchit
• Khon Dee Sri Ayutthaya, a television script from a novel of the same name by Seni Saowapong

4. Books and Textbooks

• Fine Arts Text Books ศ 031 Basic Dramatic Arts Part 1: High School Program 1981.
• Ministry of Education. Bangkok: Kurusapa Press Lad Prao, 1988.
• The Art of Acting (Modern Theatre). Bangkok: CU Press, 1st Edition 1995, 2nd Edition, 1999.
• Introduction to Dramatic Arts. Chapter 2 Types of Theatre and Chapter 3 Styles of Presentation. Bangkok: Academic Work Propagation Project Faculty of Arts Chulalongkorn University No. 124, 2007.
• An Analysis of the Problems and Solutions to the Problems of Acting in Directing Different Styles of Modern Plays in Thailand, a research from 30 years of her life as a lecturer, focusing on important root problems of contemporary Thai theatre.

     Academic Articles

• Bertolt Brecht’s Dramatic Arts and Theatre. Baan Mairoo Roy, (10), 72-82, 1985.
• Modern Theatre: From Henrik Ibsen to Modern Television. 1991.
• Analysis on common tragedy “Kam Pipak Sa”, seminar paper on “25 Years of Criticism on ‘Kham Pipak Sa’ “, Research Project “Criticism as Contempirary Phenomenon to develop knowledge on social-scientific criticism”, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn Anthropology Centre, Bangkok: 2006.

5. Composing songs and music

Since when she was a 4th year student at Faculty of Arts, Assoc. Prof. Sodsai Pantoomkomol was a president of a music club (current C.U. Band), and was the university’s first female president. As a person responsible for music performance, she composed the song C.U. POLKA as the main song for MUSICAL NUMBER a dance and music performance. She also wrote English lyrics to Thai songs composed by Luang Sukjumpradit and Kru Kaew Atchariyakul whom UNESCO appointed as World’s artist, “My Heart Calling you” for “Kaneung Kruan” and “Too Many Wounds” for “Sin Rak Sin Sook”. Most importantly, she wrote English Lyrics to King Rama IX’s song, “Saeng Tian” naming the song “Candlelight Blues” for His Majesty in 1953. She served the King’s order to bring ส.จ.ม. band to perform at อ.ส. radio station with King Rama IX playing alongside the students, beginning the tradition of His Majesty annual music performance at Chulalongkorn University, the grand event which Assoc. Prof. Sodsai Pantoomkomol assisted in organizing every year if she was in Thailand at the moment.

Description:  Sondi CD Cover

In 1959, while pursuing a master degree in the US, she released “Sondi” an album under Liberty Records, using the name Sondi Sodsai, featuring songs such as “Siamese Cat Song” and “Buffalo Song.” For “Buffalo Song,” Assoc. Prof. Sodsai Pantoomkomol translated from “Kwan Jai Jao Tui” (lyrics by Somsak Theppanon and music by Aeu Sonthornsanan), translating to English alternating with Thai music each verse, introducing Thai culture to the Americans in the 60s through a popular song. Even after becoming a lecturer, she continued composing and singing many songs for theatre productions produced by Department of Dramatic Arts. The notable work is a collaboration with the department’s lecturers and students, “Pleng Sood Koon”, a math tables music cassette for children, in 1980.

Description: Math Tables Song Book

Description: CU Polka Lyrics

CU Polka MV was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Chulalongkorn University.
Lyrics/Melody by Associate Professor Sodsai Pantoomkomol.
Music by the CU Band.