மட்டக்களப்பு தமிழர் சமூகத்தில் வசந்தன் கூத்தின் சமூக பங்குபற்றலும் பண்பாட்டு அடையாளமும்: ஓர் ஆய்வு: Vasanthan Koothu, Cultural Identity, Social Change, Batticaloa, Religious Belief, Kannaki Amman Worship, Intangible Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This study examines Vasanthan Koothu as a vital folk art form and cultural symbol within the Batticaloa Tamil community, highlighting its role in fostering social unity, moral values, and cultural continuity through oral tradition and community participation, especially among youth. Grounded in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework and comparative analysis with regional folk traditions like Tamil Nadu’s Therukoothu, the research details how Vasanthan Koothu drives social cohesion and identity formation despite modern disruptions such as wartime impacts, displacement, economic pressures, and media influence. Ultimately, the findings reaffirm Vasanthan Koothu's enduring function as a repository of collective memory and a resilient anchor of socio-cultural identity amidst changing societal dynamics.

Keywords

• Vasanthan Koothu
• Cultural Identity
• Social Change
• Batticaloa
• Religious Belief
• Kannaki Amman Worship
• Intangible Cultural Heritage