Very early into the mellow tones and textures of Notes to Myself, its producer, MOPA, announces its intent. This is arts programming that stands for a quiet elegance, truthfulness and a natural sophistication as it seeks to both construct and deconstruct the life and work of an artist. This is especially commendable because our arts eco system and the prevailing discourse usually suffer from two maladies: either it does not take you into the subject of the specific art, lineage and individual artistic expression with any degree of rigour or depth, or it lapses into dreary hagiography. By having the artist speak to us directly the usual barriers of formality and distance appear to melt away and we are kept engaged with the stories and anecdotes, piecing together moments, life changing experiences and key moments in artistic development. We become aware of the forces that shaped them and their artistic oeuvre. Supported by a superb curation of photographs and excellent filming, the episodes maintain a light touch, a sense of restraint and maturity which prevent it from descending into a confessional or something that suffers from too much volubility. It sets a benchmark for tasteful and sensitive conversations around the arts and the artists like few other programs do.

"The sensitivity and simplicity of both the artiste and the questions make for a touching portrayal in this film about Leela Samson. Rarely seen in such ventures..."

I watched the first two episodes of Notes to Myself and I'm so thrilled to see the impact this series is having. Conversations have to be documented like this. The pace of the conversation is perfect and it makes you feel the person is talking to you. Everything about this series is spot on - the camera work gives that intimate feel, the audio is crisp, the location brings out the character to the forefront, the music is soothing. This series brings the true heart of the person in front of us. Thank you for doing this.