Freddie Mercury Tribute to Headline Mela

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Something for everyone at major Asian festival in Gunnersbury Park

A tongue-in-cheek tribute to Freddie Mercury, plus performances by emerging artists and veterans of the British Asian urban music scene – as well as award-winning dance, a children’s zone, exhibitions and a fun fair – are some of the many features at the fifth London Mela, which takes place in Gunnersbury Park on Sunday 12 August.

Produced by Ealing Council, the one-day True Roots London Mela – widely described as the Asian Glastonbury – is an artistically-led celebration of Asian culture and creativity, one of the largest in Europe with eight zones spread over the 30 acre site.

This year’s True Roots London Mela will premiere new commission Sitar Rhapsody, which pays tribute to Freddie Mercury’s Indian connections. The performance is the final instalment of the Mela Trilogy – and follows in the successful footsteps of In the Dhol Drums and Tabla Blah Blah – putting a contemporary twist on iconic Asian musical instruments to extend their appeal to new audiences.

A very special line-up by Pandit Dinesh will headline the main stage – presented in association with BBC Asian Network. Other highlights will be the first ever live performance of a new venture by the Rishi Rich Showcase including British-Bangladeshi RnB artist Mumzy and west London Bhangra artist H.Dhami. There will also be performances by: Sukshinder Shinda, perhaps Bhangra’s best-known record producer; urban artists Sona Family; and the impressive Heera. Meanwhile the BBC Asian Network Mix Tent with its pink Station Wagon will feature the Panjabi Hit Squad, Ameet Channa, DJ Kayper, Noreen, DJ Nerm and D-Code plus many more.

As in previous years DJs Bobby and Nihal take the helm at London Flavas with performances by Outlandish who have created their own definition of world music, and Sway a man on a musical mission mixing hip-hop and grime with distinctive, witty rhymes. Continental Drifts – involved with London Flavas since the beginning – will also be presenting Global Local, Towards a Remixed London.

Fans of the crazy and unexpected may want to head to the Waitrose Community Cabaret which will feature amazing aerial work by Scarabeus, world-class contemporary dance from the Shoban Jeyasingh Dance Company, and performance by Bollywood Brass Band. This is also the place to check out Tabla Blah Blah, a unique commission funded by the Arts Council featuring live music and visuals performed by leading Tabla expert Pandit Sharada and DJ Bobby Friction.

Further exhibitions celebrating the arts and cultural heritage of London Asian communities can be seen in the Heritage Classical – in association with Unison – with exhibitors including the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Horniman Museum, Royal Geographical Society and National Army Museum – all backed by serene classical music performers.

And following the success of last year, the Indo Electronica area will make a welcome return to London Mela – presented by Continental Drifts, Sense 3d, Resonance FM and supported by PRSF and the Arts Council. This is also the place to see Sitar Rhapsody.

With something for every generation of every community, the London Mela also features a fun fair and Magic Mela where Emergency Exit Arts create a special environment with sea and jungle creatures and all the wonders of the natural world where youngsters and the young at heart experience the magic of stories, dance and creative play.

This year’s London Mela is one of the featured events in the Mayor of London’s India Now season, a three-month celebration of India culture and arts.

August 2, 2007