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Based on different styles of
narrative singing, rhythms of dancing, foot work and make-up of the dancer,
three varieties of Thullal were evolved in course of time. They are:
1. Ottan Thullal
 This
style consists of a variety of rapid metres well suited for amusing narratives and
is vigorous in execution. The Thullal artist who represents this type has a
fascinating costume. His face is painted green. With a round headgear of multi-coloured tinsel and gold, a breast plate to match, a circlet of jingles
round his ankles and wearing a frilled skirt round his waist, he sings and
dances to the sounding of the cymbals and beating of the drum. Along with
singing and dancing, the player acts the incidents narrated in the songs. Ottan
thullal usually represents Mahavishnu.
2. Seethankan Thullal
It has metres of
medium cadence for the songs used and rhythm to suit. In contrast to the
picturesque appearance of the dancer in Ottam Thullal, the dancer in Seethankam
Thullal has his face unpainted, except for a few black lines, on the eyebrows
and eyelids to heighten the expression of the eyes. He wears a crown made
out of the tender leaves of coconut palm, with frills of the same material
adorning his wrists.
 3.
Parayan Thullal
This
has a slow narrative style for singing, with slow graceful elegant steps,
movements and hand gestures. The make-up of a Parayan is very simple except for
an ornamental headgear with a serpent hood and a red cloth round his waist. The dancer smears the
body with charcoal paste and wears ghungru (circlet of bells) only on one
leg.
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