Surujpat Mathura
Encyclopedia
Surujpat Mathura, the son of late Chandar Bahadoor Mathura and Rookmin, was working in his father's printery when he decided to embark upon a career in journalism and radio announcing.
With the encouragement of his father, he started in 1947, at Radio Trinidad
, where he worked for 47 years as an announcer, as well as producing radio programmes,with special emphasis on Indian art, culture and religion.
Pat's primary education started at St. Theresa's Private school at De Verteuil St., Woodbrook. The principal, Mr. Cherry, saw him as an asset to the school and from very early he prepared him to meet the challenges of being a student. After leaving Woodbrook
C.M. School he entered Tranquility Boys Intermediate where McDonald Bailey, the principal, again gave him special training. He transferred to St. Mary's College
, where he became a member of the fifth Trinidad Sea Scouts Troupe, of which he is still a member.
At the height of World War II, he graduated from St. Mary's College and took up a job at the American base at Cumuto
where he worked for two years before deciding to join his father's printery in Port of Spain
. At that time the main function of Band R Printing Service was the production of a magazine called 'The Indian'. While there Pat decided to embark on a career as a radio announcer.
He joined Radio Trinidad
where, in the beginning,he had to purchase time and sell commercials to cover the cost of his programme, which was an important first focus on Indian culture on the subcontinent and around Trinidad. He remained at the radio station from 1947 until April 1994, when he moved FM 103, the country's first station completely dedicated to Indian programming.
In the Trinidad and Tobago general election, 1956
he fought for the seat of Tunapuna
and lost to Learie Constantine
He remains the country's longest serving radio broadcaster in Trinidad, and was also the youngest Mayor of Trinidad's capital city, Port-of-Spain. He is the most distinguished,respected and loved radio personality in Trinidad and Tobago. Uncle Pat, as he is affectionately referred to at his new home Masala Radio, now hosts a show called Vintage Favourites on Sundays.
Died August 9th 2007 at age 84.
With the encouragement of his father, he started in 1947, at Radio Trinidad
Radio Trinidad
Radio Trinidad is the oldest radio station in Trinidad and Tobago. It started broadcasting in 1947 at 11 Maraval Road in Port of Spain on the frequency 730 AM. It had programs like soap operas, news, and passing parade...
, where he worked for 47 years as an announcer, as well as producing radio programmes,with special emphasis on Indian art, culture and religion.
Pat's primary education started at St. Theresa's Private school at De Verteuil St., Woodbrook. The principal, Mr. Cherry, saw him as an asset to the school and from very early he prepared him to meet the challenges of being a student. After leaving Woodbrook
Woodbrook
Woodbrook may refer to :* Woodbrook School, an elementary school in Edison, New Jersey, United States* Woodbrook, a neighbourhood of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago* Woodbrook Golf Club, a golf club in Bray, Countly Wiclow, Republic of Ireland...
C.M. School he entered Tranquility Boys Intermediate where McDonald Bailey, the principal, again gave him special training. He transferred to St. Mary's College
Saint Mary's College, Trinidad and Tobago
Saint Mary's College is a government-assisted Catholic secondary school situated on Frederick Street in the heart of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The school was established in 1863 with only a handful of students but enrollment today is close to 1200. The school's motto 'Virtus et Scientia'...
, where he became a member of the fifth Trinidad Sea Scouts Troupe, of which he is still a member.
At the height of World War II, he graduated from St. Mary's College and took up a job at the American base at Cumuto
Cumuto
Cumuto is a town and district in Trinidad. Cumuto is west of Sangre Grande and south of Arima. Between 1940 and 1956 much of Cumuto was part of the American army base known either as Fort Read or Wallerfield; the area was leased to the United States as part of the Destroyers for Bases...
where he worked for two years before deciding to join his father's printery in Port of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
. At that time the main function of Band R Printing Service was the production of a magazine called 'The Indian'. While there Pat decided to embark on a career as a radio announcer.
He joined Radio Trinidad
Radio Trinidad
Radio Trinidad is the oldest radio station in Trinidad and Tobago. It started broadcasting in 1947 at 11 Maraval Road in Port of Spain on the frequency 730 AM. It had programs like soap operas, news, and passing parade...
where, in the beginning,he had to purchase time and sell commercials to cover the cost of his programme, which was an important first focus on Indian culture on the subcontinent and around Trinidad. He remained at the radio station from 1947 until April 1994, when he moved FM 103, the country's first station completely dedicated to Indian programming.
In the Trinidad and Tobago general election, 1956
Trinidad and Tobago general election, 1956
General elections were held in Trinidad and Tobago on 24 September 1956. The result was a victory for the People's National Movement, which won 13 of the 24 seats...
he fought for the seat of Tunapuna
Tunapuna
-Town:It is located between St. Augustine, Tacarigua and Trincity. Tunapuna is the largest town between San Juan and Arima. It is an important market and commercial centre, and is the seat of the Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation...
and lost to Learie Constantine
Learie Constantine
Learie Nicholas Constantine, Baron Constantine MBE was a West Indian cricketer who played 18 Test matches before the Second World War. He took West Indies' first wicket in Test cricket and was the team's leading all-rounder and opening bowler for the entirety of his career...
He remains the country's longest serving radio broadcaster in Trinidad, and was also the youngest Mayor of Trinidad's capital city, Port-of-Spain. He is the most distinguished,respected and loved radio personality in Trinidad and Tobago. Uncle Pat, as he is affectionately referred to at his new home Masala Radio, now hosts a show called Vintage Favourites on Sundays.
Died August 9th 2007 at age 84.