Leela Samson
Encyclopedia
Leela Samson is a Bharatanatyam
dancer, choreographer, instructor and writer. As a soloist she is known for her technical virtuosity and has taught Bharatanatyam at Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra in Delhi for many years; presently she is the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification
(1 April 2011); director of Kalakshetra
(April 2005); and chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
(2010– ).
Among the many honours conferred on her, Samson was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri
by the President of India in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the art of Bharata Natyam as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
in Bharatanatyam (1999–2000), given by Sangeet Natak Akademi
.
, Tamil Nadu
. After doing her B.A.
, she learnt Bharatanatyam at the Kalakshetra
under the founder Rukmini Devi Arundale.
, Delhi and Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
, Delhi. Over the years she has performed across India and aboard including Europe, Africa and the Americas.
In 1995, Leela Samson formed Spanda, a dance group to review the traditional vocabulary of Bharatanatyam. Two documentary films — Sanchari and The Flowering Tree — have been made on her works. Amongst her notable disciples included Joyce Paul Poursabahian
and Justin McCarthy
, who now teaches at Sri Ram Bhartiya Kala Kendra.. She has taught and mentored a galaxy of noted performers including the late Kamaljit Bhasin Maalik (Meeto), Jin Shan Shan (Eesha), Navtej Singh Johar and Anusha Subramanyam.
She became the director of Kalakshetra
, Chennai in April 2005. In August 2010, she was appointed chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
, India's national academy for music, dance and drama for five years. Before that she had was a member of the Academy for many years.
She authored a widely acclaimed biography of Rukmini Devi Arundale. She was appointed chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification in March 2011, succeeding the noted actor Sharmila Tagore who had held the position for two terms.
She has taught Bharatanatyam across the world, including at the Royal Opera House
, Covent Garden
, London and the annual Milapfest at Manchester.
(1990), the Sanskriti
, Nritya Choodamani, Kalaimamani
(2005) given by Government of Tamil Nadu
, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
(1999–2000) for contributions to Bharatanatyam
.
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
dancer, choreographer, instructor and writer. As a soloist she is known for her technical virtuosity and has taught Bharatanatyam at Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra in Delhi for many years; presently she is the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification
Central Board of Film Certification
The Central Board of Film Certification is a Government of India regulatory body and censorship board of India controlled by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It reviews, rates and censors motion pictures, television shows, television ads, and promotional material...
(1 April 2011); director of Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra is a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. The academy was founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale. Under Arundale's guidance the institution achieved national...
(April 2005); and chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
(2010– ).
Among the many honours conferred on her, Samson was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
by the President of India in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the art of Bharata Natyam as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
in Bharatanatyam (1999–2000), given by Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
.
Early life and training
Leela was born in CoonoorCoonoor
Coonoor is a town and a municipality in the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for its production of Nilgiri tea....
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. After doing her B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, she learnt Bharatanatyam at the Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra is a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. The academy was founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale. Under Arundale's guidance the institution achieved national...
under the founder Rukmini Devi Arundale.
Career
Starting her career as a Bharatanatyam soloist, Samson taught at Shriram Bharatiya Kala KendraShriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra
Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra is an Indian cultural institution which runs a noted school for music, dance and performing arts in New Delhi, founded by Sumitra Charat Ram in 1952. And imparts training in Indian classical dance styles and music, including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Chhau,...
, Delhi and Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
Gandharva Mahavidyalaya is an institution established in 1939 to popularize Indian classical music and dance.The Mahavidyalaya came into being to perpetuate the memory of Pandit Vishnu Digamber Paluskar, the great reviver of Hindustani classical music, and to keep up the ideals set down by him....
, Delhi. Over the years she has performed across India and aboard including Europe, Africa and the Americas.
In 1995, Leela Samson formed Spanda, a dance group to review the traditional vocabulary of Bharatanatyam. Two documentary films — Sanchari and The Flowering Tree — have been made on her works. Amongst her notable disciples included Joyce Paul Poursabahian
Joyce Paul Poursabahian
Joyce Paul Poursabahian is an accomplished Indian classical dancer and exercise physiologist. Classically trained in Bharat Natyam, she has also trained briefly in Mohiniattam, the classical dance of Kerala. Poursabahian had her initial dance training under the acclaimed Bharatanatyam guru, Leela...
and Justin McCarthy
Justin McCarthy (dancer)
Justin McCarthy is an American-born noted Indian Bharatnatyam dancer, instructor and choreographer. He teaches Bharatnatyam at the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra at Delhi, where he has been for the last three decades...
, who now teaches at Sri Ram Bhartiya Kala Kendra.. She has taught and mentored a galaxy of noted performers including the late Kamaljit Bhasin Maalik (Meeto), Jin Shan Shan (Eesha), Navtej Singh Johar and Anusha Subramanyam.
She became the director of Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra
Kalakshetra is a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. The academy was founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale. Under Arundale's guidance the institution achieved national...
, Chennai in April 2005. In August 2010, she was appointed chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
, India's national academy for music, dance and drama for five years. Before that she had was a member of the Academy for many years.
She authored a widely acclaimed biography of Rukmini Devi Arundale. She was appointed chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification in March 2011, succeeding the noted actor Sharmila Tagore who had held the position for two terms.
She has taught Bharatanatyam across the world, including at the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
, Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, London and the annual Milapfest at Manchester.
Awards
Samson has received the Padma ShriPadma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
(1990), the Sanskriti
Sanskriti
Sanskriti is a Sanskrit word for "culture." It may refer to:* Sanskriti Kendra Museum, New Delhi* Sanskriti , a cultural festival held by students at Jadavpur University, in Kolkata, India...
, Nritya Choodamani, Kalaimamani
Kalaimamani
The Kalaimamani is an award in Tamil Nadu state, India. These awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram for excellence in the field of art and literature....
(2005) given by Government of Tamil Nadu
Government of Tamil Nadu
The Government of Tamil Nadu, headquartered at Chennai is the governing authority for the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is seated at the Fort St. George...
, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
(1999–2000) for contributions to Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
.
Works
- Samson, Leela (1987). Rhythm in Joy: Classical Indian Dance Traditions. New Delhi: Lustre Press.
- Samson, Leela (2010). Rukmini Devi: A Life, Delhi: Penguin Books, India, ISBN 0670082643.