Paulinho da Viola (born Paulo César Batista de Faria on 12 November 1942) (Portuguese pronunciation: [pawˈlĩɲu daviˈɔlɐ]) is a Brazilian sambista, singer-songwriter, guitar, cavaquinho and mandolin player, known for his sophisticated harmonies and soft, gentle singing voice.

His father César Faria was a guitar player,[1] and musicians such as Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim would often come to his house for rehearsals, which Paulinho watched for hours on end.

He began writing his own songs as a teenager, but never considered a career as a professional musician until he met poet Hermínio Bello de Carvalho in 1964.

In 1996 he regained notoriety after releasing the much-acclaimed album Bebadosamba, in which he once again joined forces with Hermínio Bello de Carvalho and Elton Medeiros, his early songwriting partners.

Perhaps due to his mild social stance, beautiful melodies and gentle personality, Da Viola is probably the most beloved composer of traditional samba music in the second half of the 20th century.

A 2003 documentary called Meu Tempo é Hoje (My Time is Now) depicted his personal and public lives, including his relationship with his native Rio de Janeiro and its samba community.