Pronunciation: [pˈanɪjə] (IPA) 
The word "Paniya" is spelled with the letters P-A-N-I-Y-A. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is /pæniːjə/. The first sound, /p/, is a voiceless bilabial plosive, followed by the short vowel sound /æ/. The third sound, /n/, is a voiced alveolar nasal, and the fourth sound, /iː/, is a long vowel sound. The fifth sound, /j/, is a voiced palatal approximant, and the final sound, /ə/, is a neutral vowel sound, often referred to as a "schwa."
Paniya refers to an ethnic group residing primarily in the South Indian state of Kerala. It is also the name of their language, which belongs to the Dravidian language family. The Paniya community is believed to have origins in the ancient indigenous tribes of Kerala and are typically identified as a scheduled tribe in India.
The Paniya language, spoken by this community, is primarily an oral language, lacking a strong literary tradition. It is characterized by its unique phonetic and grammatical structure. Script-wise, the Paniya language uses the Malayalam script, which is widely used in the region.
The Paniya people are known for their close ties to nature and traditionally practice hunting and gathering, although their lifestyle has gradually shifted towards farming and agriculture. They have a rich cultural heritage, evidenced by their unique folk songs, dances, and rituals. Their traditional attire usually involves simple clothing made from natural materials such as cotton and palm leaves.
Today, the Paniya people face various social and economic challenges, including limited access to education, lack of representation, and marginalization. However, efforts are being made to preserve and promote their language, traditions, and overall well-being.
The word "Paniya" comes from the Dravidian language family, specifically from the Malayalam language spoken in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The Malayalam word "Paniya" (പാണിയ) is derived from the root word "pani", which means "to sing". The suffix "-ya" denotes a person or a group, thus giving the meaning "singers" or "people who sing". The term "Paniya" is commonly used to refer to a tribal community in Kerala known for their distinctive music and dance traditions.
