Celebrate at Preston Mela

The annual event, hosted by The Mela and Festival Partnership, will bring 
together different communities through traditional Asian music, art, dance, food and crafts.

The word mela comes from the Sanskrit verb to ‘meet’ and refers to a festival or fiesta from the Indian 
sub-continent.

In the UK, a Mela is 
generally a free, one- or two-day festival with stages for music and dance, food stalls, bazaars and street performances.

And it is an opportunity to celebrate South Asian culture in all its forms.

The weekend’s event will bring together a number of North West events including Preston Mela, Manchester Mela, Blackburn Festival, Culturepedia and Nutkhut.

Nutkhut is described as an innovative performance company, inspired by South Asian backgrounds blended with distinctly mischievous British humour.

They have been delighting audiences across the UK for the past nine years and is led by two British Asian 
artists, Simmy Gupta and Ajay Chhabra.

The day will also feature Bollywood Brass Band, ‘the UK’s pioneering Indian-style wedding band’.

The Preston Mela is a 
vibrant celebration of South Asian culture that will the city centre’s Market Square filled with the sounds of 
modern and traditional Bhangra music.

Dance and entertainment from around the world will take place alongside a strong community element featuring performances from local musicians and dance groups.

The Mela is well known for its aromatic South Asian cuisine.

Free workshops running throughout the day will offer opportunities to get involved and test your creative skills.

For info call 01772 253731.