The Paliyar tribe (also called Paliyan, Panaiyar, or Pazhaiyarares) are a small, indigenous Dravidian‑speaking tribal community living mainly in the hill‑forest regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, especially around the Western Ghats and the Palani–Sirumalai–Kodaikanal belt. They are officially recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in Tamil Nadu and are known for their deep connection with the forest and a sustainable, low‑impact way of life.
Origin, location, and name
The name “Paliyar” is linked to “Palaniyar”, meaning “people from the Palani hills”, and they are also historically called Paliyans, Pazhaiyarares, and Panaiyars. Today they live in districts such as Dindigul, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, and parts of Kerala, often in small, scattered hamlets near or inside forested slopes. They speak a Tamil‑related dialect and use Tamil script for communication, both within the community and with outsiders.
