80,000 ENJOY LONDON MELA 2004
(15 August 2004)

Thousands of Londoners gathered in Gunnersby Park, Ealing on Sunday 15th August to celebrate the London Mela. The event is the most significant South Asian festival in Britain and attracted crowds of approx 80,000 throughout the day (the word ‘mela’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘to meet’). The free Asian outdoor festival had something for everyone, from pop stars Raghav and Stereo Nation, classical musical sets, cabaret acts, food and cultural stalls, martial arts and street theatre.

The London Mela was supported by the Mayor of London and produced by Ealing Council. Highlights included 12 different areas of entertainment and creative activity and accomplished classical artists, including guests flown in from Delhi and Dhaka on the classical stage, with a specially commissioned collaboration evoking freedom and peace performed by Haider, Hanif and Mehboob from Lahore and Mumbai.

Other highlights included:

• Speeches from the Mayor of Dhaka and performances from international classical artists from Dhaka and Deli specially flown in to perform specially commissioned pieces for the Mela. The Mayor of Dhaka was particularly vocal on the recent floods in Asia. A Friendship Agreement between London and Delhi, was signed by the Mayor of London and Delhi's Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in July 2002.
• Circus and dance acts - Simmy Guptan and Vicki Amedume collaborate in a mesmerising show combining trapeze and traditional dance styles, the dancers connect through silken threads and support each other through the power of their spirits...
• Mela cabaret acts including 'princes in the park' huge costumed stilt walkers
• Dhin Shuru carnival finale performers this colourful carnival procession included 100 performers
• Big Brother contestant 2004 Gos 'the chef' compereing the Mumbai rouge fashion stage, which also included C4's 'Search for a Bollywood star's' Heidi and Ricky
• Disabled Asian dance group Muskan Dance Group performed contemporary and traditional wheelchair dance performances
• International and Asian Food stalls - the mouth watering foods were a highlight of this years event
• Exclusive out door show called 'In the Dholdrums' featuring the largest dhol-drum in the world.