London Mela 2012

This FREE outdoor festival celebrates Asian arts and culture with a wealth of music and entertainment returns to Gunnersbury Park, Hounslow, in London to celebrate it's 10th year on Sunday 19th August 2012.

The one-day event will feature nine 'zones' with The Main Stage, BBC Asian Network Mix Tent curated by BBC Radio 1's Nihal (with music from BBC Asian Network DJs), BBC Introducing curated by DJ Bobby Friction, Community & Kids Zone, Outdoor Arts and 'In Conversation With' tent, as well as food markets and a huge funfair.

Mela Carnival & Concert Commissions

This year The O2 London Mela celebrates its 10th birthday. To mark this special occasion there will be two large-scale new commissions; The Mela Carnival, featuring hundreds of community participants, floats and live music from the Dhol Academy, Red Poppy, aka Beijing Red Poppy Ladies' Percussion Ensemble, and the Bollywood Brass Band, which will precede an evening classical concert with fireworks. The concert will feature The Philharmonia Orchestra in collaboration with Jaz Dhami and Bhaven Centre Indian classical musicians. The Mela Carnival will also feature contributions from the embassy of Nepal. Outdoor Arts will feature the watery genius of Avanti Display's Spurting Man.

Line-up

Main Stage: Jaz Dhami, DJ Sanj feat Jay Status, Angrez Ali, The Philharmonia Orchestra performing 'Indra', composed by Gustav Holst, as well as collaborating with The Bollywoood Brass Band, Jaz Dhami and Indian classical musicians from the Bhavan Centre performing two movements from Ravi Shankar's 'Symphony'.

The Embracing Eid Stage: will feature a range of talented Islamic artists and performers with U-Cef, Poetic Pilgrimage, Celt Islam, Shafeek Ibrahim, Cheb Nacim, Abdullah Chhadeh and is headlined by Ustad Ali Hafeez Khan.

Mela

Mela is a Sanskrit word meaning 'to meet', used to describe all sorts of community celebrations and festivals in the Asian subcontinent. A long-standing tradition in South Asia, the Mela strengthens communities by bringing people together in a festival atmosphere where everyone can enjoy food, music, dance, and even a a fun fair.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, "I'm delighted to once again be supporting the London Mela, a wonderful celebration of Asian culture in all its rich diversity. It promises to be even better this year and with the Embracing Eid stage will attract a wider audience. With the eyes of the world on the capital for the 2012 Games, this colourful family event will be a sparkling addition to the unprecedented series of free events taking place across the capital throughout the summer."

For more information, see the London Mela website.

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