What is a Mela?
Mela is an ancient Indian word meaning 'gathering' or 'to meet' however in modern times it has been ascribed to a particular type of cultural event which takes place around the world wherever there is an Asian community that has settled. The event will usually be a celebration of all things Asian which includes; music, dance, food and fashion.
Melas in the UK
For over 20 years Melas have been taking place around the UK with notable ones including; London Mela, Leicester Mela, Bradford Mela, Leeds Mela and Manchester Mela. Each Mela is unique to its regional location so you’ll find London Mela attracting a cosmopolitan mix of communities whereas Bradford Mela will stage more Pakistani influenced entertainment and food because of the area’s rich history and heritage. The one common theme to all Mela’s however is a colourful and fun filled day celebrating the best of Asian culture.
Never been to a Mela?
Every Mela is different however there’ll be similar attractions at all of them, some of which include:
- Food stalls – authentic Asian street food from vegetarian samosa's and pau baji's to chicken lamb tikka.
- Asian music performances – covering the various Asian music styles from Punjabi Bhangra to Pakistani pop music.
- Asian dance performances – performances include classical Indian styles through to today’s Brit Asian fusion of hip hop, RnB and Bhangra
- Asian fashion stalls – visit the colourful Asian fashion stalls stocking a variety of traditional Indian clothes and jewellery
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How much does it cost to enter a Mela?
The majority of Mela are free to enter although one or two of them such as East London Mela to make an entry charge.
Who runs the Mela in the UK
Whilst most of the Mela are run by private companies, they are usually supported by the local council. Contact the Mela Organisers for more information.
Can I advertise at a Mela or Sponosor a Mela
Yes - You should contact the Melas directly in order to book a stall/stand. If you are looking to advertise/sponsor a number of Melas as part of a marketing campaign, then we would reccomend contacting a specialist ethnic marketing agency, such as The Marketing Effect , who provide the information for this website.
