P. Perumal (b. 1935, Tamil Nadu) was a National Scholar in drawing and painting (1962–64). Deeply influenced by his rural childhood, he went on to study at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, where he became a member of the Progressive Painters’ Association founded by K. C. S. Paniker. Dedicated to reviving traditional artistic approaches, he developed a distinctive visual language marked by expressive line work and graceful, elongated figures.

Perumal’s paintings, celebrated for their tender yet powerful portrayal of rural life, are held in national and private collections in India and abroad. His career extended into art education as well. He taught at various institutions and contributed significantly to nurturing younger artists. Known for his commitment to both practice and pedagogy, Perumal’s legacy rests in his evocative depictions of innocence, resilience, and hope within the Indian rural landscape.