Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairperson Leela Samson appointed Chairperson of CBFC

Sangeet Natak Akademi chairperson and renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and writer Leela Samson was appointed chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) on 28 March 2011 by Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Samson succeeded actor Sharmila Tagore who held the position for 6 years (two terms). Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Shakti Samanta, Asha Parekh and Anupam Kher are few of the other personalities who were appointed CBFC chairperson in the past.

Leela Samson is a representative of Kalakshetra, the famed institute for the classical arts founded by the late Rukmini Devi Arundalel. In 1995, Leela Samson formed Spanda, a dance group to review the traditional vocabulary of Bharatanatyam. Samson wrote a biography of dancer and social activist Rukmini Devi Arundale, the founder of the Chennai-based Kalakshetra. Two documentary films were made on her work namely- Sanchari and The Flowering Tree.

Leela Samson has many honours conferred on her, including the prestigious Padma Shri in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the art of Bharatanatyam in 1990. She also received the Sanskriti, Nritya Choodamani, Kalaimamani (2005) given by Government of Tamil Nadu and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999–2000).