The origins of Kambi Kathakal date back to the early 20th century, when Malayalam literature was undergoing a significant transformation. The genre gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, with the publication of several Kambi Kathakal collections. These stories were often published in magazines, newspapers, and books, and were widely read and appreciated by the Malayali audience.

It is important to distinguish these adult stories from mainstream Malayalam literature. While legendary authors like (the father of modern Malayalam literature) and Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (writer of the first Malayalam short story, Vasanavikruti ) shaped the state's literary history, kambi kathakal remain a separate, unofficial subculture. Malayalam Kambi Katha Collection | PDF | Computers - Scribd

Kochupusthakam, on the other hand, is a genre of Malayalam literature that emerged during the same period. The term "Kochupusthakam" literally means "small book" or "children's book." However, the stories that fall under this category are not just limited to children's literature; they are often humorous, satirical, and entertaining tales that appeal to readers across age groups.