Pancharimelam - a musical ensemble

Pancharimelam or Panchari Melam can be called an old ensemble tune of Kerala that is still sung. The instruments used in this are Uruttu Chenda, Ilathalam, Kombu and Kuzhal. Of these, Uruttu is the one that makes it different from the other ensembles like Pandimelam and Panchavadyam. Pancharimelam is played in major and minor versions with a total of 135 instruments for the major and 50 for the minor.

The ensemble is performed for festivals and also inside temples. The performance picks up speed towards the end and the spectators join in tapping the beats of the rising tempo.