17. சலமப கடடம வரபபடடம கரவக கததம

This paper examines the portrayal of Tamil folk arts in Silappathikaram, focusing on three traditions—Vettuva Vari, Aaychiyar Kuravai, and Kundrak Kuravai—which originated from the ancient Tamil thinai (land divisions) of Palai, Mullai, and Kurinji. Each art form reflects the lifestyle, environment, and religious beliefs of its community: Vettuva Vari depicts the Palai region’s hunting tribes worshipping the goddess Korravai; Aaychiyar Kuravai showcases Mullai’s pastoral women performing circular dances in praise of Krishna alongside bull-taming customs; and Kundrak Kuravai highlights Kurinji’s mountain dwellers praising Murugan and honoring Kannagi through song and dance. The study reveals how these localized cultural expressions evolved into widely celebrated traditions across Tamil Nadu and India, linking community life with spirituality, and stresses the importance of preserving such heritage amidst modern changes.