Kathakali integrates music, vocal performance, choreography, and hand gestures to tell stories from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.

The art form traditionally uses a unique makeup code where specific colors (Vesham) represent the nature of the characters, such as Pacha (Green) for noble heroes.

It evolved from earlier performance arts like Koodiyattam and Krishnanattam.

The performance is traditionally held in temples and temple courtyards, accompanied by percussion instruments like the Chenda, Maddalam, and Idakka.

Tamil Nadu is the home of Bharatanatyam, which is considered the oldest classical dance tradition in India.

Andhra Pradesh is the origin of the Kuchipudi dance form, which differs from Kathakali by including vocal narration and being historically performed by wandering bards.

Karnataka is famous for Yakshagana, a theatrical folk dance-drama that shares some stylistic similarities with Kathakali but is distinct in its regional evolution.