Pearl Peters (30 March 1915 – 19 June 1987 as පර්ල් වාසුදේවි) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Pearl Vasudevi, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema as well as a singer.[1]

Pearl Vasudevi
පර්ල් වාසුදේවි
Born
Pearl Peters

(1915-03-30)30 March 1915
Died19 June 1987(1987-06-19) (aged 72)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationGood Shepherd Convent, Colombo
OccupationActress
Years active1930–1987
SpouseEddie Junior (m. 1940)
Children1

Personal life

edit

Vasudevi was born as Pearl Peters in Galle on March 30, 1915, to a Burgher family.[2] She studied at the Good Shepherd Convent, Colombo and became interested in theater at a young age.[3]

She was married to fellow actor Eddie Junior. The couple has one daughter, Sujeewa Lalee. Sujeewa also acted in few films including maiden acting in Sithijaya. Vasudevi died 19 June 1987 at the age of 72 following a brief illness.[3]

Career

edit

Vasudevi made her debut as an actress in 1930 playing the role of a princess in the play Aparikshakari Nadu Theenduwa at the age of 15. With her fluency in English, she also secured a leading role in an adaption of Merchant of Venice.[4] Vasudevi joined Eddie Master's troupe shortly after acting in the role of Seetha in Ramayanaya. The dramatist's son Eddie Junior composed the music for the play. Through their work together, Pearl and Eddie Junior fell in love and got married in 1940.[4] She also served as a Radio Ceylon singer at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).[3][2]

Vasudevi made her film debut with husband Eddie Junior in Sirisena Wimalaweera's 1949 movie Amma.[5] She subsequently appeared in over 150 films including Sithijaya with her daughter Sujeewa Lalee.[4]

Filmography

edit
Year Film Role Ref.
1949 Amma Nila
1955 Surangani
1964 Kala Kala De Pala Pala De
1965 Sekaya Gossip
1966 Mahadena Muththa Thalamalie's mother
1966 Senasili Suwaya Sumith's relative
1968 Pini Bindu
1968 Bicycle Hora
1968 Amathikama
1969 Pickpocket Hamine
1969 Uthum Sthriya
1969 Praweshamwanna Sonia's mother
1970 Thevatha
1971 Dawena Pipasa
1971 Kathuru Muwath Woman at Sasthara center
1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Bath amma [6]
1971 Seeye Nottuwa
1972 Sithijaya
1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Johnny's mother
1972 Lokuma Hinawa Karolina
1973 Matara Achchi Village gossip
1973 Aparadhaya Ha Danduwama
1974 Dinum Kanuwa
1974 Hadawath Naththo
1974 Shanthi
1974 Sahayata Danny Estranged wife of Sandun's friend
1974 Rodi Gama
1974 Susee Susee's Mother 'Sello Hami' [7]
1975 Tharanga Granny
1975 Cyril Malli
1975 Lassana Kella Nandamma
1975 Kokilayo
1975 Sangeetha [8]
1976 Hulawali Villager
1976 Onna Mame Kella Panapi
1976 Adarei Man Adarei
1977 Honda Hitha
1977 Chandi Putha [9]
1977 Aege Adara Kathawa
1978 Sithaka Suwanda Emily aunty
1978 Madhuwanthi Mrs. Silva
1978 Hitha Mithura
1978 Sally
1978 Kumara Kumariyo Karunawathie
1978 Saara Perera 'Nona'
1979 Samanmali Darling 'Akka'
1979 Amal Biso
1979 Palagetiyo Sophie
1979 Nuwan Renu Head nurse
1979 Podi Malli Belin
1979 Handaya Susie
1979 Visihathara Peya
1980 Ektam Ge Nathilin
1980 Raja Dawasak
1981 Kolamkarayo Allan
1981 Thawalama
1982 Bicycley Bath Amma
1982 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak
1982 Chathu Madhura 'Army affair' gossiper
1983 Ran Mini Muthu
1983 Chandi Siriya
1984 Bambara Patikki
1984 Sahodariyakage Kathawa
1986 Peralikarayo Mrs. Florescent
1987 Yugayen Yugayata
1987 Hitha Honda Chandiya Muslim shopkeeper's wife
1987 Nommara Ekai Johanna 'Aunty'
1988 The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck Chief's mother
1988 Newatha Hamuwemu
1989 Waradata Danduwam

References

edit
  1. ^ "Pearl Vasudevi filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Remember Pearl Vasudevi". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Pearl Vasudevi remembrance". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Uvais, Ramesh (2006). "The pearly chapter of Pearl Vasudevi". Daily Mirror.
  5. ^ Savarimutthu, Ranee (1977). On the Development of Sinhala Cinema, 1947-1967. Colombo, Sri Lanka: OCIC Sri Lanka.
  6. ^ "Hadata Wadata Hari Soorayo: Hathara Denama Soorayo film". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  7. ^ "All about the film Susee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  8. ^ "All about Sangeetha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  9. ^ "All about Chandi Putha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
edit