WORCESTER Mela burst into life with song, dance and visitors of all ages getting hands on with arts and crafts.
The festival showcased the rich cultural highlights of South Asia, with music binding together the theme of ‘unity in diversity’.
Visitors turned out in the baking weather for the event held at the University of Worcester City Campus this afternoon.
The main stage featured lively and colourful sets from performers including Punjabi folk duo SaDi JoRi and the Dhol Crew, who blend traditional and Indian music.
READ MORE: Worcester Mela Festival coming to University of Worcester
FAMILY (from left): Pannaben Patel, Krishnaben Patel, Aanvi Patel, Tanush Patel, Srushti Patel, Megha Patel (Image: NQ staff, Josh Layton)
READ MORE: Worcester Mela to bring vibrant celebration of South Asian culture
Friends Zak Mensah, 43, from Bristol, and Debbie Birch, 51, from St John’s, who both work in the cultural sector, were soaking up the sights and sounds by the Mela stage.
Debbie said: “These threads of unity are really important.
“Colour and creativity is what the country needs right now.
READ MORE: Worcester celebrates start of South Asian Heritage Month
BATTLE: A giant tug-of-war got underway (Image: NQ staff, Josh Layton)
SHARPSHOOTER: Basketball ace Owen takes aim at the Mela (Image: NQ staff, Josh Layton)
“These are the organisers’ words and they sum it up perfectly.
“We need this more than ever.”
Sabi Mollah was among the performers, treating the crowd to a Bollywood dance on the Mela stage and showing people how to do the moves in a workshop at Arch 27.
She also led a bhangra dance session.
SUNSHINE (from left): Karen and Adam Groves, Mark Harris and Jon and Lorna Wilkes (Image: NQ staff, Josh Layton)
Sabi, who is of a Bangladeshi background, said: “Dance is part of my heritage. I was born in London and I spent 10 years there before my twin and I were introduced to Indian dance when we were younger.
“I remember doing the Rama and Sita story.
CREW (from left): Akelia Hamilton, Karim Haddick and Michael Pawlow kept the Guinness flowing (Image: NQ staff, Josh Layton)
“Then I went to a dance academy in Bangladesh and did modern Indian folk dance before I went to uni.
“I want to integrate these styles of dance into the mainstream to get the message out to people and inspire diversity in the arts.”
The free, one-day festival also featured high-energy drumming and interactive workshops and cooking demonstrations.
KERALA: The Thiruvathira dance group put on a graceful performance (Image: NQ staff, Josh Layton)
Cooking, storytelling, volleyball and a hotly contested giant tug-of-war between the Gloucester Kings and Worcester Themmadi also took place in the sweltering heat.
The festival marks the start of celebrations for South Asian Heritage month and launches Threads of Unity, a programme of events celebrating the region’s culture, creativity and community.
The festival, which had a small main stage, workshop area, refreshment stands and plenty of activities for children, including archery and arts and crafts.
