The internet has been the primary driver for the growth of this genre. Digital platforms have democratized access, allowing writers to publish anonymously and readers to access content privately.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, a specific sub-genre known as Kamakuta (The Garden of Desire) emerged in Mysore and the surrounding regions. These were often manuscripts meant for the aristocracy and the courtesans (Ganikas) of the royal courts. Kannada Kamakathegalu