Big celebration of culture at city's annual Mini Mela

Picture by Julian Brown 09/07/16

Traditional Dancers from Abhinandana Dance Academy, Preston

Heavy rain at Preston Mini Mela which took place on Preston's Flag Market — Picture by Julian Brown 09/07/16 Traditional Dancers from Abhinandana Dance Academy, Preston Heavy rain at Preston Mini Mela which took place on Preston's Flag Market

The music, taste and sound of South Asia dazzled hundreds of visitors to the city’s Flag Market on Saturday, which hosted the mini Mela spectacle.

From noon until 4pm there was a range of dancing and music, including violinist Darius playing Bollywood tunes, performances from the Preston Dhol Players, the Vakhri Punjabans – Gidda Group dancers, South Asian drummers, and performances from the Abhinanadana MK Dance Academy.

Preston Council organised the event in association with Preston Community Gateway Association and G S Consultancy Limited.

Councillor Peter Kelly, of Preston Council, said it was “a good opportunity for the community to come together and express themselves.”

He said: “We were lucky that the rain stopped at about 1pm, so the dancers were not affected.

“It was great to see all the Bollywood stuff and a celebration of dance and music.

“Everybody was getting their cameras out and taking photos.”

He added: “This is something that takes place every year and has previously been slightly bigger and held on Avenham Park.

“But I was talking to the organisers and they love being on the Flag Market in the middle of the city.

“There were several hundred people out on Saturday watching and even dancing themselves.”