Leela Samson received her training in Bharata Natyam at the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and became its Director in 2005. With decades of experience, she enjoys the reputation of being a dancer and teacher of sensitivity. She has also served as Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and the Central Board of Film Certification. Two documentary films have been made on her—Sanchari by Arun Khopkar and The Flowering Tree by Ein Lall—and she has acted in several films, including Mani Ratnam’s O Kadhal Kanmani. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990 for her contributions to Bharata Natyam.