Music and dance also form an integral part of the life of Keralites. Classical as well as folk music and dance have kept alive the ancient thoughts and stories which still find a wide audience amongst tourists.
A few of popular forms of dances are:

Kathakali: The literal meaning of Kathakali is story play. The dance drama troupes enact scenes and events from Hindu mythology, typically from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Kathakali artists wear heavy makeup and magnificent costumes to depict good and evil characters. Large head dresses are very noticeable and integral part of the dance form
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Mohiniattam: This is a distinctive classical dance form of Kerala. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to this dance form. Mohiniattam is vastly different from Kathakali as far as its dress up and make up is considered.

Koodiyattam: Koodiyattam is considered the oldest dance form of the world (around 2000 years old). The word, Koodiyattam itself means combined dance forms. Not much of instruments are used in this dance performance.