Pearl Ondaatje
Encyclopedia
Pearl Ondaatje was a pioneer of Radio Ceylon
the oldest radio station in South Asia
. She was one of the radio station's first female newsreaders and a presenter of radio programs, including programs for women listeners of the radio station.
Pearl Ondaatje worked very closely with the Australian administrator Clifford Dodd
and Livy Wijemanne
in shaping the new Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon in the 1950s in Colombo
. Millions of listeners across South Asia tuned into the hear the voices of announcers such as Pearl Ondaatje. Radio Ceylon ruled the airwaves of the Indian sub-continent in the 1950s and 1960s.
She is a relative of the Canadian philanthropist, Sir Christopher Ondaatje
and his brother, the award winning author Michael Ondaatje
who were both born in Ceylon.
Radio Ceylon
Radio Ceylon is the oldest radio station in Asia. Broadcasting was started on an experimental basis in Ceylon by the Telegraph Department in 1923, just three years after the inauguration of broadcasting in Europe.- Edward Harper :...
the oldest radio station in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
. She was one of the radio station's first female newsreaders and a presenter of radio programs, including programs for women listeners of the radio station.
Pearl Ondaatje worked very closely with the Australian administrator Clifford Dodd
Clifford Dodd
Clifford R. Dodd was an administrator and radio expert, with twenty years experience in broadcasting in Australia, before he arrived in Sri Lanka. He was sent by the Australian Government under the Colombo Plan to work in Radio Ceylon...
and Livy Wijemanne
Livy Wijemanne
Livy Wijemanne was a pioneer of Radio Ceylon. He was one of Sri Lanka's greatest broadcasters, on October 31, 1948, the Post Master General appointed the young announcer, Assistant Controller of Programmes...
in shaping the new Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon in the 1950s in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
. Millions of listeners across South Asia tuned into the hear the voices of announcers such as Pearl Ondaatje. Radio Ceylon ruled the airwaves of the Indian sub-continent in the 1950s and 1960s.
She is a relative of the Canadian philanthropist, Sir Christopher Ondaatje
Christopher Ondaatje
Sir Philip Christopher Ondaatje, OC, CBE is a Sri Lankan-Canadian businessman, philanthropist, adventurer, writer and Olympian. He lives in the United Kingdom.-Overview:...
and his brother, the award winning author Michael Ondaatje
Michael Ondaatje
Philip Michael Ondaatje , OC, is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian novelist and poet of Burgher origin. He is perhaps best known for his Booker Prize-winning novel, The English Patient, which was adapted into an Academy-Award-winning film.-Life and work:...
who were both born in Ceylon.