This year's ZEE London Mela came home to Southall Park, for a weekend of music, dance, performance, food and family fun, featuring a stunning line-up of International artists and British Asian stars enjoyed by over 40,000 Londoners.
Over 60 performances took place over two stages, including a homecoming for former Hounslow resident, LA-based and biggest British Asian popstar in the world, Jay Sean, folk singer Attaullah Khan Esakheli and Zack Knight.
Celebrating 25 years since the release of his most famous hit Boom-Shack-A-Lak, Apache Indian gave a performance debuting his brand new single and his crowd-pleasing classics.
DJ collective Panjabi Hit Squad, both Southall lads, also whipped up the crowd up - playing a mix of Panjabi classics.
On Saturday the legendary producer, composer and musician Kuljit Bhamra MBE brought together a line up of British Bhangra legends; Sounds of Southall, led by Mohinder Kaur Bhamra, plus three generations of legendary Bhangra artists Heera, Premi and H Dhami.
Tthe ‘godfather’ of Bhangra Channi Singh OBE took the whole audience on a nostalgic journey while his daughter, the Mona Singh, completed the special set with some Bhangra classics.
On Sunday British Asian R&B star Arjun joined forces with the UK’s oldest Chamber Orchestra, the London Mozart Players.
Further highlights included a vibrant display from Desi Dance Dhamaka and Jay Kumar’s Bollywood-influenced Dance Asia on the Love to Dance stage, followed by an awesome DJ set from the famous DJ Ritu.
KayKay & Co, Roma Sagar, and Shayal, Nash, Roya & Rish RaiEzu also gave an enchanting performance with very special guest and YouTube sensation Rahim Pardesi.
DJ Doni Brasco and DJ Bobby Friction did compered the two days of music, fronting the main stage.
The London Mela came to spectacular close with BHANG! with the biggest Dhol Drum in the world and Dhol drummers creating an exciting conclusion to the weekend as the sky lit up with a jaw-dropping firework display.
London Mela organisers said: “Bringing the London Mela home to Southall has been very special and the crowds over the two-day event have been so incredibly supportive and responsive.
"We have already started thinking about next year’s festival and will be back, funding dependent, bigger and better. At a time when we face so many uncertainties it’s even more important for communities to come together and the London Mela is an essential platform for that.”
ZEE London Mela is produced by Remarkable Productions and supported by Arts Council England, Mayor of London, Ealing Council and Nutkhut.
Sponsored by ZEE TV in association with Sunrise Radio as well and Southall Waterside a new Berkley St James development, Morrisons, Lebara and Ria Money Transfer.
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