Mr T.N.A Perumal ( 1932 to 2017)
K. Jayaram
Photographer
I have travelled with Perumal to wildlife sanctuaries across India for nearly 35 years. We have discussed at great length about wildlife and the future of photography.
I remember at an outing at Bandipur Sanctuary, we spotted a leopard late in the evening. We trailed the animal and though it disappeared in between, it reappeared and to our surprise followed our jeep. Perumal’s knowledge of animal psychology was amazing. He was always right about animal behaviour. I can’t forget the time we followed the pug marks of a tigress and were rewarded when we saw and photographed her in a puddle of water bathed in the clear evening light.
Perumal read a lot. Just a couple of days ago we discussed Jonathan Scott’s The Big Cat Man , which is about the struggles of a photographer in South Africa. We spoke about it for over an hour, and he shared his experience of his visit to South Africa.
Though he suffered a stroke recently which left him partly paralysed, it did not stop him from sharing his knowledge. Despite a meagre income, he never approached anyone for any help. He donated a lot of books to others. He was a kind-hearted man and a legend in his own right. I feel bad about how he was used. In India, so many wildlife photographers trained by him made big. But hardly anyone came forward to help him as he struggled to bring out his book Reminiscences of a Wildlife Photographer. It is a shame that a businessman in South Africa came forward to publish the book. It is not available for sale in India
D. Srinivasan
Srini Institute of Photography
He was a close friend of the family and a man of unmatched dedication. I accompanied him on so many of his travels and in the time we spent together, we not only discussed photography, but also astrology, philosophy and Carnatic music. His contribution has been enormous, not just in his own wildlife photographs but the way he has mentored and guided so many young people unstintingly. He readily shared his wealth of experience. I have precious memories of our travelling together to Valparai, Hampi, Kabini. I drove him to Top Slip because he wanted to photograph the Lion Tailed Macaque.
K. Maruthachalam
Photo Centre
He is one of the the best wildlife photographer I have known. I can’t think of anyone else so completely connected to wildlife, the environment and Nature. Mr. Perumal ‘s gentle demeanour hid great technique right from film photography to the digital times.
Some Awards
Lifetime Achievement for Wildlife Photography by Government of India
Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy award for Nature Photography
Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society, U.K.
Honorary fellowship India International Photographic Council
Certificate of Appreciation by Sanctuary Asia
Advisor, Photomuse- The Museum of Photography, Thrissur, Kerala
Mr. Perumal has more than 1,500 acceptances in international salons and more than 200 awards/merits
Publications
Encounters in the Forest, co-edited with M.N. Jayakumar
Photographing Wildlife in India - Field guide for photographers
Some South Indian Butterflies with K. Gunathilagaraj
A concise field guide to Indian insects and Arachnids with Meenakshi Venkataram
Reminiscences of a Wildlife Photographer which contains all his important photographs more than 300 of them
