Kottarakara is the place where the classical art form of Kathakali was conceived. It was developed by Kottarakkara Thampuran (the King of Kottarakkara) in competition with Krishnanattom which had its origin in Kozhikode.Malayalam novelists Lalithambika Antharjanam and Kakkanadan hail from here.The late Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair was one of India's best movie actors. He gave memorable portrayal of the historical heroes like Pazhassi Raja, Velu Thampi Dalawa and Kunhali Marakkar. He will also be remembered for his roles in 'Chemmeen' and 'Ara Nazhika Neram'. His son 'Saikumar' and daughter 'Sobha' are Malayalam film actors. Veteran actor 'Bharat' Murali, who is now the Chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Akademi, hails from Odanavattom near Kottarakara. 'Ganesh Kumar', MLA and former Minister, son of' R. Balakrishna Pillai' is also a renowned actor. 'K.P. Kottarakara' (died: 2006) was a leading Malayalam film producer in the seventies.