Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Kerala's First Paniya Tribal Chairman Visits Parents
A man named P Viswanathan from the Paniya tribe in Kerala became the first person from his community to be the chairman of a municipality.
He used to be a watchman and a folk singer.
After he was sworn in, he went to his parents' small house to ask for their blessings.
His parents were very happy to see him.
The Paniya tribe is one of the biggest tribal groups in Kerala.
Viswanathan wants to help his community do better in society.
He won his position with 424 votes.
A leader from his political party, CPI(M), said Viswanathan is a good choice because he won from a general seat and the Paniya community is important in the district.
P Viswanathan, a 40-year-old watchman and folk singer, became the first municipal chairman from the Paniya tribal community in Kerala.
He visited his parents' makeshift hut in a tribal colony to seek their blessings after his swearing-in ceremony.
Viswanathan won the general seat of Edaguni with 424 votes in the recent local body polls.
The Paniya community is the single largest Scheduled Tribe in Kerala, mainly found in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Malappuram districts.
Viswanathan expressed his desire to inspire and bring change to his community, which he believes is lagging behind in various aspects of society.
- Who
- P Viswanathan, a 40-year-old watchman and folk singer from the Paniya tribal community
- What
- Viswanathan became the first municipal chairman from the Paniya tribal community in Kerala
- When
- He visited his parents after his swearing-in ceremony on Friday, December 28
- Where
- The event took place in Wayanad, Kerala, specifically in a tribal colony
- Why
- Viswanathan wanted to seek the blessings of his parents and inspire his community
- Name
- P Viswanathan
- Age
- 40
- Position
- Chairman of Kalpetta Municipality
- Community
- Paniya tribal community
- Party
- CPI(M)
- Votes
- 424
- Location
- Wayanad, Kerala
