Quick Info
| Profession | Bharatanatyam Dancer |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 06/05/1951 |
| Age | 74 years |
| Birthplace | Coonoor, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu |
Latest News about Leela Samson
09/07/2026
Leela Samson will conduct intensive teaching and master classes in Columbus, Ohio from July 9 to August 17, 2026. The program includes classes for students and dancers of all levels, a master class for advanced students, and specialized pedagogy training for dance teachers.
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Bio/Wiki
| Name Earned | Leela Akka |
|---|---|
| Notable Titles | Padmashri |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 161 cm |
|---|---|
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Salt & Pepper |
Educational Qualification(s)
| School | Besant Theosophical High School, Varanasi, India |
|---|---|
| College/University | Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Arts degree in English |
| Dance Training | Kalakshetra, Chennai (1961-1967) - First Class Diploma with Distinction in Post Graduation course |
Personal Life
| Religion | Hinduism |
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Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
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Family
| Father | Vice Admiral Benjamin Abraham Samson, former Indian Army officer (died in 2008, at the age of 91) |
|---|---|
| Mother | Laila Samson |
| Siblings | Two brothers and one sister |
Career
| Debut |
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| Key Positions Held |
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| Dance Form | Bharatanatyam | ||||||||
| Notable Works | Dance of Freedom - a comprehensive history of Bharatanatyam from temple origins through colonial suppression and nationalist reform to its global presence | ||||||||
| Choreography | Known for innovations in Bharatanatyam vocabulary and group performance dynamics through Spanda Dance Company |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Leela Samson's father, Vice Admiral Benjamin Abraham Samson, was the inaugural Naval Officer to hold the position of Commandant at the National Defence Academy. | |
| 2. Her father encouraged Leela to study Indian classical dance and music. | |
| 3. Despite her varied religious background, Leela Samson practices Hinduism. | |
| 4. Leela Samson remained unmarried as she did not encounter the suitable life partner. | |
| 5. Leela received training from Rukmini Devi Arundale, the visionary behind Kalakshetra. | |
| 6. She wrote a biography of her teacher and mentor Rukmini Devi Arundale, covering her 25 dance dramas and numerous solo items. | |
| 7. Spanda Dance Company, founded in 1995, was created to break away from the solo-centric tradition of Bharatanatyam and explore the dynamic power of group performance. | |
| 8. She is renowned for her excellent nritta form and sensitive abhinaya. |