Leela Samson

Some Lesser Known Facts About Leela Samson

• Leela Samson is an Indian Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, writer, and actress. She is well known for presenting the Indian classical dance form Bharatanatyam in diverse compositions with her dance company, Spanda, founded in September 1995.

• Leela’s father Vice Admiral Benjamin Abraham Samson, was a retired officer. From 8 January 1964 to 31 May 1966, Benjamin served as the Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet in the Indian Navy. He was the first Naval Officer to serve as the National Defence Academy’s Commandant in Khadakvasla between 1959 and 1962.

• Leela’s father wanted her to learn and explore Indian classical dance and music. In 1961, when Leela was nine years old, her father sent her to Kalakshetra Foundation, art and cultural academy in Chennai. Leela received her dance training from the founder of Kalakshetra, Rukmini Devi Arundale, who was a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer.

  

• Initially, Leela performed solo at various dance events and occasions. Later, she started performing with dance groups at leading festivals of dance in India and abroad like Europe, Africa, and America.

• Leela revealed that she did not marry because she never found the man of her choice. ^[10]The Telegraph

• Leela’s father was of Jewish origin, and her mother is of Catholic origin. But, Leela Samson follows Hinduism. In an interview, on being asked about her religious belief, Leela said,
  

  Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life, a philosophy. I live the life of a Hindu. No one can take that away from me. I did not have to convert to be that way. I simply am. It also does not make me less Christian or less Jewish. Just more appreciative.” ^[11]Rediff.com

• Leela Samson’s performed her Arangetram ceremony in 1970 in Bombay. (An Arangetram ceremony is the debut of a classical dancer on stage in front of a public audience)

  

• In May 1985, Leela Samson performed with her guru Rukmini Devi Arundale, while touring in China.

  

• In August 2003, Leela taught Bharatanatyam to the UK-based dance group, for a show, Past Forward, at the Royal Opera House and Covent Garden, London.

  

• On 30 April 2012, Leela resigned from the post of director of the Kalakshetra Foundation, because a petition was filed against her by the former Kalakshetra teacher C.S. Thomas in which it was stated that she had crossed the age limit to serve as the director as per the prescribed government norms. In an interview, Leela talked about resigning from the post and said,
  

  Through a PIL, an ex-Kalakshetra teacher had challenged my continuance as director after I turned 60. If I do not have the support of the ministry, chairman and the board in this matter, I see no reason to stay on,” ^[12]India Today

• In 2010, Leela authored and published ‘Rukmini Devi,’ a biography made on the life of her mentor, Rukmini Devi Arundale, which was based on her letters kept in the Kalakshetra records.

• In 2011, after Leela’s appointment as the chairperson of the Censor Board of Film Certification, people criticized her as she had no connection with the film industry, and was not the right choice for the position. People compared Leela with her predecessor, Sharmila Tagore, a former Indian actress, who was more generous and broad-minded. In an interview, Leela reacted to being compared with Sharmila Tagore and said,
  

  What is the fuss about my taking over the censor board? It is not as if I am going to view every film. I am just there to influence policy and give direction so that fewer people have problems getting certification. There is a capable CEO managing the day-to-day affairs. I can sort out any issue sitting here by talking to a producer on the phone or via email. I am not prudish or conservative. It is absolutely misplaced that Sharmila Tagore is broad-minded, and that if Leela Samson comes in the board will become conservative,”^[13]The Telegraph

• Leela Samson appeared in a few Tamil films like America Mappillai as Vasantha (2018), Sillu Karupatti as Yashoda (2019), and Putham Pudhu Kaalai as Bhairavi (2020).

  

• In 2021, Leela made her Malayalam debut with the film Bhramam in which she played the role of Irene Dicotta.

• In an interview, Leela revealed that she aspired to become a surgeon, but her teachers encouraged her to take dancing as a career. In an interview, Leela talked about her career aspirations and said,
  

  I had made up my mind to pursue medicine. It was the sisters here who persuaded me to follow my dream to become a dancer,” ^[14]Hindustan Times

• Two films have been documented on Leela Samson’s life, Sanchari (1991) by Arun Khopkar, and The Flowering Tree by Ein Lall (2020).

• In April 2020, Leela was announced as the jury chair of the 2020 JCB Prize for Literature, an Indian literary award.