All forms of petitioning and indignation are doing the rounds in the arts community following the resignation of dancer-administrator Leela Samson as the Director of Kalakshetra, the world renowned arts institution in Chennai.

These include e-petitions and shared e-mails on the subject.

E-mails have also been sent by artistes and arts promoters working abroad on this subject and many have been sent to the Ministry of Culture which has accepted Leela's resignation.

Dancer Anita Ratnam has initiated a petition campaign.

In a emailed note she says that the development is bad news to dancers, artists and members of a civil society.

'Many visionary cultural institutions founded before India's independence are now in a state of chaos and neglect. Kalakshetra too, has experienced its share of turmoil but under the stewardship of Ms Samson, the iconic institution has found a new lease of life and vibrancy, ' Anita's note says.

The note goes on - I am requesting anyone who reads this message to sign this petition to have Ms. Leela Samson reinstated as the Director of Kalakshetra immediately by the Ministry of Culture, by Board members of Kalakshetra and byb the officials of the Government of India.

Anita adds in that note - 'While we will continue to probe the matter and uncover the many layers of allegations and insinuations that have been leveled against Leela Samson, we urge all those who are concerned about the future of our performing arts to speak up through this online forum.

Below is the link to the online petition -

http://www.change.org/petitions/ministry-of-culture-board-members-of-kalakshetra-and-officials-of-the-goi-reinstate-leela-samson-as-the-director-of-kalakshetra

Meanwhile, a Board meeting is expected to be held in Chennai later this week and this issue may be taken up. Since Leela has given in her resignation and it was accepted, the matter is rather sensitive.

It is not yet clear if Leela herself is keen to get back to the top job at Kalakshetra now. She also heads the Censor Board and the Sangeet Natak Akademi.