Perumal was born in Madras, India in 1888 and his images are often mistaken for fellow multi-limbed Indian Laloo. Perumal began his exhibition career at a very young age and often appeared in photographs with an companion Indian dwarf named Soopromanien, who was sometime mistakenly called Sami. Sami was Perumal’s family name.He toured primarily in Europe, but did tour briefly with the Ringling Bros. circus. While in America he gained a reputation for being a difficult and a perfectionist and displaying a strong dislike for western culture. He often refused to eat ‘American food’ and eventually employed his own Indian cooks to prepare his meals.
Just like Laloo and other marvels with parasitic twin, Perumal’s twin was billed as being female and was dressed accordingly. That was, of course impossibility and all parasitic twins are same-sexed.
Little else is known of Perumal. No record exists of his exploits, romantic of otherwise, following his official retirement in 1915.
Image: Perumal later in life from 'We Who Are Not As Others'.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSLabels: parasitic
The Hungarian Sisters - The Scottish Brothers - The Biddenden Maids
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