Kerala Natanam is a new style of dancing evolved from Kathakali.The illustrious Indian dancer Guru Gopinath developed and stylised this dance by blending Indian Dance Classicism and modernism. It is a popular dance based on the universality of Indian hand gestures as communication, and abhinaya (acting).

It accepts the amgika abhinaya - body movements and gestures -in toto from Kathakali and Natyashasthra . The elements of satvika abhinaya - facial expressions ans emotions - are fine-tuned to fit to the need of the modern theatre with electric lighting. The ccope for stage movements doubled.

There is a significance deviation in the aharya abhinaya (costumes and make up. Kerala natanam does not use a set dress code, but assumes a suitable dress for the character(s) presented. In a dance on Jesus Christ the dancer dress up like Christ. In social dances the artists wear the dress of labourers, peasants, folk etc. Likewise roles of Srikrishna , king, snake charmer hunter have suitable attire. This make Kerala Natanam accessible.

Guru Gopinath, the mentor of this dance, was a trained Kathakali artist. He tried to develop a new style without losing its charm and classicism. A major difference from Kathakali is the change in the costumes and music. While Kathakali follows the sopana style of music, Kerala natanam shifted to pure karnatic music . But it allows any Indian or western musical instrument like violin, sitar, harmonium, flute sarang or tabla, while also popularising Kerala instruments like the chenda , mrudamgam , ilaththalam , itakka and others.