It is an Altakkatha. It is duvided in sucha a way as to be presented as an independent performance. The story of Nalacaritam is based on Mahabharata. The story revolves around the most righteous Nishada king Nala, his Damayanti and the troubles they undergo inspite of being pious and virtuous.
It is a genre of Sanskrit texts and refers to the Shastra pertaining to Dharma, religious and legal duty. It is a source of religious law describing the life of an ideal householder and it is a symbol of the summation of Hindu knowledge about religion, law and ethics.