Pearl Padamsee

Pearl Padamsee (1931 – 23 April 2000) was an Indian theatre personality as a stage actress, director and producer of English language theatre in Mumbai active in 1950s–1990s. She acted in a few Hindi and English language films, including Khatta Meetha, Junoon, Baaton Baaton Mein, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, and Such a Long Journey. She ran after-school theatre workshops for children.

Padamsee was born to a Punjabi Christian father and a Baghdadi Jew mother. According to her second husband, Alyque Padamsee, "She was the secretary of the college's Dramatic Club at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai in the 1950s" and "went to study anthropology in Australia."

Her first husband's surname was Chowdhry. They had two children: a son named Ranjit Chowdhry who was an actor and a daughter named Rohini Chowdhry. The marriage ended in divorce when her children were still toddlers.

Pearl became a part of a theatre group, promoting "English theatre" in Mumbai. She reproduced successful Broadway productions using local Indian talent. She directed, acted and produced for the stage, schools and organizations.[10]

Pearl then married Alyque Padamsee who was also active in English theatre.

With Alyque Padamsee, Pearl had a daughter, Raell Padamsee, who runs her own theatre company in Mumbai.[11] Pearl and Alyque were divorced very shortly after the birth of Raell.

Pearl Padamsee died on 23 April 2000. She is buried at a Christian cemetery in Bandra.[10]