Abstract:
Kusajathaka kavya was composed by the poet Alagiyawanna Mukaveti during the
Sithawaka period. This is acknowledged as a great poem composed according to
the Sanskrit rhetoric tradition' when inzuring into sinhala classical literature, it
could be conceded that sinhala poetic literature was greatly influenced by Sanskrit
literature. Accordingly, the great poetic works namely, Muwadevdavatha,
sasadavatha, Kavsilumana are regarded as having composed as per the accepted
ode poetic tradition. Objective of this research is to ascertain as to what extent
Kusajathaka kavya has acquired the great poetic characteristics relatively to the
above mentioned great poems. Significance of this research is the ability to ensure
that Kusajathaka kavya is a great poem. The research problem of this study is
whether Kusajathaka kavya is a great poem (epic). Primary and secondary sources
of the above books were based as the methodology of this research. Sources
namely, Kusajathaka kavya, siyabas Lakara and Kavsilumina were used as primary
sources while sanskrit Leterature, great poetic characteristics and classical work of
post classical era composed by authoritative erudite were associated as secondary
sources. the results identified from this research is that although there was no
intuition or originality up to the standard of great sinhala poetic works of early
periods it could be acknowledged that kusajathaka Kavya has been composed in
conformity with Sanskrit great poetic characteristics and in association of
authoritative works of early periods. In accordance with this research, it could be
concluded that kusajathaka kavya is a great compositional work of the period.
