Notes to Myself is one of MOPA's flagship projects - a series of interactive, expository documentaries that deconstructs the lives and creative processes of some of the most impactful professionals and organisations associated with South India's performing arts. Done in a let-your-hair-down and from-the-heart way, these offer an honest, moving and at times funny and charmingly unguarded look at the lives of these artistes.

Episode 1 of this series features Leela Samson.

Leela Samson is among India’s most lauded Bharatanatyam dancers. Over the years, her style has metamorphosed from the best of her alma mater Kalakshetra, into a unique and exquisite expression all her own – unostentatious, serene, graceful and marked by impeccable technique and precision. In short, her dance is a perfect extension of her personality.

Leela is a multi-faceted personality with an immense contribution to the performing arts of India. She is a teacher, choreographer, actor and author, and has served as Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi, Director of Kalakshetra and Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification.

Segment markers:
01:56 - Childhood and early memories
09:40 - Rukmini Devi Arundale
13:26 - Other influences
20:52 - Switch to solo
25:00 - Teaching in Delhi
26:54 - Psyche of a student - then and now
30:58 - Spanda
35:03 - Bharatnatyam - the context and beyond
38:00 - Group choreography - pros and cons
40:56 - Guru shishya parampara
42:29 - Authoring Rukmini Devi's biography
43:49 - Working with the censor board
46:26 - Acting in films
51:15 -Role of the government in the arts

Film Credits :

Concept, Curation and Artistic Direction - Savita Narasimhan
Direction and Editing - Gowrishankar Venkatraman (@gowrishankarv)
Director of Photography - Santhakumar Chakravarthy (@santhakumarchakravarthy)
Associate Cameraman - Vignesh Ganesan
Production Management - B Charles, Gowtham Ganesan (@chennaiarttheatre)

Photographs and Visual Excerpts from the Archives of :
Leela Samson ©Leela Samson
(Late) Sunil Kothari
Samudri archives © Sruti Foundation

Sincere Thanks to
Madras Talkies, Halitha Shameem

Venue Courtesy
Kanakavalli @ Kingsley, Chennai (@thekanakavalliedit)
MOPA is grateful to Ms Ahalya for permitting the use of the charming grounds of Kingsley for filming this episode.

Chief Sponsor - Kauvery Hospital, Chennai
MOPA is grateful to Kauvery Hospital, Chennai for supporting this project.

Produced by MOPA Foundation ©2021

All text, photos, images and other data contained in this episode are copyright 2021 of the Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA) Foundation. The same is intended for personal or educational use only and may not be used in any commercial form without prior written permission.

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