Kunalai from a Literary Generic Perspective: Performing Art to a Literary Form

Abstract

In Tamil studies, the research on literary genres serves as a vital tool for analyzing thehistory of Tamil literature. Over the time, thematic concerns and literary forms shifted alongside political changes social structure. Grammatical texts known as ‘Paattiyal’serving as rule bookemerged specifically to record these literary genres. Various folk games and arts— such as Ammanai, Vallaipattu, and Kuravai—have transformed into literary genres in time. This article does adescriptive study to identify the history of a performing art form ‘Kunalai’ and its transformation into a literary genre. The objective of this study is to provide literary references on KunalaiKoothu and present evidences of its emergence as a distinct literary form.