History of the Manchester Mela

The Manchester Mela has risen in prominence from an underground event celebrating the city's cultural and ethnic diversity into a hugely popular part of the summer festival season. Taking place in Platt Fields Park in Fallowfields, one of Manchester's biggest public parks with dedicated event facilities, there's more to the Manchester Mela than just music - the event also features stalls and fairground rides ensuring that all visitors, young and old, will find something to entertain at the free event.




Many people head to the Manchester Mela to see its performers, of course, and 2010's line-up included the Panjabi Hit Squad, Imran Khan, H Dami and Raghav on the main stage, adding to the illustrious canon of previous performers from across the nation, including the Xplosiv Family and Hunter Z.




In addition to its main stage, the Mela also hosts a more experimental venue in the form of the Chai Serai Marquee. Funded by the Arts Council of England, this is the perfect place to experience South Asian arts and culture in all its diverse and colourful forms, from spectacular Bollywood and Nepalese dancing to poetry and drama. All five principal nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal are represented by the event, which aims to both celebrate the performers' national heritage as well as their more recent history as British citizens.

Not that you have to head to the festival venues to experience the Mela, with traditional circuses and bands taking to the streets. Groups such as the Kawa Circus have proven hugely popular with audiences of all ages, introducing Manchester's public to authentic Indian entertainment styles, while music is provided by the likes of wedding brass bands and bagpipe bands.




Festival-goers looking to get involved in the events rather than just participate can try out Asian physical sports and games, such as Kabaddi, or try their hand at arts and craft in inimitable Asian styles - from Rangoli patterns to henna tattoos. Attendees can also sample Indian takes on food such as ice cream and sweets, expanding their world knowledge and leading to a deeper appreciation of the city's myriad cultures.




The Manchester Mela takes place over a weekend each July, and anyone planning on visiting the city to experience the entertainments firsthand can find plenty of convenient hotels in Manchester near Platt Fields Park and Fallowfields to put them in the heart of the action.