Kerala Natanam

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Kerala Natanam or Kerala Dance is a novel art form evolved  from Kathakali and is comprised of nritha (absolute or pure dance) nrithya (dance with music and gesticulations) and natya (dramaturgy) and angika (body gestures), vaachika (verbal), aahaarya (costumes and make up) saatvika (of temperaments and involuntary status) abhinaya (acting), in accordance with the thala mela (rhythm) order of the percussion instruments used in Kerala. The art form of Kerala Natanam was created and composed by Guru Gopinath.

Kerala Natanam is comprised of Nritha, Nrithya and Natya based on traditional Kathakali, without detracting from its basic tenets but has some of its complex involutions and intricacies. Though it has originated or evolved from Kathakali, it is neither Kathakali nor an attempt to reform or redefine it. In simple words Kerala Natanam is a classical dance following rudiments of 'Natya Shastra' and practicing basics of Kathakali techniques.
Even though during his lifetime Guru Gopinath did not give a name to his style after his passing away the movement to give his style a name gained momentum. In 1993, during the Global Conference on Guru Gopinath and Kerala Natanam held in Trivandrum, a Sanskrit definition was given to this style by his students. KERALEEYA SHAASTRIYA SARGAATHMAKA NRITTHAM- "A traditional creative dance style originating from Kerala."

More information of this new art form can be found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala_Natanam