The Paniyan are a South Dravidian Paniyan language speaking tribal community of about 7,882 individuals, situated in 174 villages of the Gudalur and Pandalur taluks. By tradition, they are landless labourers, who were primarily employed to work in agriculture. They worship several deities, including Kulian and Mariamman, and the ritualistic practices highlight their ancestors' traditions through their birth practices, marriage and festivals. The leaders of the Paniyan are referred to as Chetti and Chemmi.

The Paniyan people are primarily recognized for their diligent performance in menial physically demanding agricultural work, particularly on land that is marshy and also on hot and humid flatlands in the valley habitats. The Paniyan are mainly landless and in the past and today they make a living from fishing, horticulture, terrace or settled cultivation and have access to a range of minor forest produce that is marketed through economic linkages with the market, both directly or with intermediaries.

Many paniyan work on daily wages as general labourers or as plantation workers, or many other forms of industrial labour. Some Paniyan engage in animal husbandry and bamboo craft. There is seasonal mobility for work opportunities, often at harvest time for agricultural work. Women contribute to the economy of the paniyan through domestic work, harvesting firewood, and subsistence/smallholder farming.