Panchari Melam is one of the oldest musical ensembles of Kerala. It is more popular in the central districts of the state. Uruttu Chenda, Ilathalam (cymbals), Kombu and Kuzhal are the instruments in this melam (ensemble).

There are major and minor versions of this melam. In major ones there will be about fifteen Kombus, fifteen Kuzhals, fifteen Uruttu Chendas, forty five Tala chendas and forty five Ilathalams.

For minor melams the total number of instruments will be fifty and the proportion is same as that of major melams.

The performance includes five stages or Kaalams. Each of the five stages has a specific tala (rhythm cycle) called talavattam. The tala is repeated according to the duration of the performance.

In each stage there are different phases that start in a low speed and ends in a Kalaasam or culmination. During festival performances the spectators even make steps in accordance with the grand finale of the performance when all the instruments are played in the maximum speed.

Panchari Melam is one among the drum ensembles that is allowed to perform inside the temples.