Music and dance have always been an integral part of Kerala culture, and Malayalam cinema has been no exception. The traditional music of Kerala, known as Sopana Sangeetham , has been a staple of Malayalam films, with many movies featuring classical music and dance sequences. The famous Kathakali dance form, which originated in Kerala, has also been featured in several Malayalam films. The music directors of Malayalam cinema, like M. S. Baburaj and Ilaiyaraaja, have been instrumental in popularizing the state's musical traditions.