Kathakali emerged from Krishnanattam in the 17th century in Kerala, India. It was developed by royal patrons like Kottarakkara thampuran and later standardized by artists like Vettanathu thampuran. Kathakali features elaborate facial expressions and body movements performed to Manipravalam song with instrumental accompaniment by chenda, maddalam, and ilathalam. Training centers like Kerala Kalamandalam have helped preserve and develop Kathakali's distinct makeup styles and dramatic storytelling techniques.