Pearl Vasudevi
Pearl Peiris (born 30 March 1915 – died 19 June 1987 as පර්ල් වාසුදේවි) [Sinhala]), popularly as Pearl Vasudevi, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema as well as a singer.[1]
Pearl Vasudevi පර්ල් වාසුදේවි | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pearl Peiris 30 March 1915 |
| Died | 19 June 1987 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Good Shepherd Convent, Colombo |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1930–1987 |
| Spouse(s) | Eddie Junior (m. 1940) |
| Children | 1 |
Personal life
Vasudevi was born as Pearl Peiris 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
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 would fall 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 would subsequently appear in over 150 films including Sithijaya with her daughter Sujeewa Lalee.[4]
Filmography
| 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 | Somey's mother | [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
- "Pearl Vasudevi filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- "Remember Pearl Vasudevi". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- "Pearl Vasudevi remembrance". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- Uvais, Ramesh (2006). "The pearly chapter of Pearl Vasudevi". Daily Mirror.
- Savarimutthu, Ranee (1977). On the Development of Sinhala Cinema, 1947-1967. Colombo, Sri Lanka: OCIC Sri Lanka.
- "Hadata Wadata Hari Soorayo: Hathara Denama Soorayo film". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
- "All about the film Susee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
- "All about Sangeetha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- "All about Chandi Putha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
