The Mela started as an one-off event in the year 1991 but grown in strength beyond our expectations and now happens to be the most sought after event of the region. The Mela is popularly known as the festival of Harmony and described by the Local press as the Asian equivalent of the ‘Notting Hill Carnival’. Every year well over 30,000 visitors attend the Mela. No doubt the Mela is a largest festival of it’s kind in the Southeast and Kent area. Common among locals as the Vada Mela (meaning big Mela in Panjabi). Many call it Mera Mela (My Mela), Mega Mela, Apna Mela (Our Mela), Sab ka Mela (Everybody’s Mela) and the kids call it the Bachaoun ka Mela. In fact the Mela is a fun for the whole family.

The Mela brings out the rich history, tradition of music, dance and art relating to the cultures of various communities and helps to foster racial harmony between the indigenous population and ethnic minority groups such as our own. It brings the flavour of the sub-continent to our borough by bringing together a bouquet of displays on arts, culture, food, sports, games and many other activities enriching the already rich traditions of the Greenwich borough.

The Mela, essentially a Fair or a Festival, is rooted deep in the tradition of the people of the sub-continent and in terms of fairs and festivals no other region can approach the sub-continent’s splendour, pageantry and diversity. The fact that there’s a festival every day somewhere in the sub-continent is a tribute to the region’s ongoing vitality and the astounding diversity of its population.

The organisers of the Mela and the Asian community in Greenwich take legitimate pride in presenting to the public a bouquet of diversity of cultures, languages and religions, which enrich Greenwich and the whole of the United Kingdom.

Some of our activities are listed in the table below.

* Famous Groups * TV and Radio Coverage
* Bhangra Music * Delicious Asian Food
* Fashion Shows * DJ’s & Road shows
* Police & Fire Brigade Stalls * Children’s Sports
* Art Show * Charities Stalls
* Local Authority Stalls * Library Stall
* Games & Children’s Funfair * Traditional Indian Dresses
* Over 100 Stalls

The Mela committee is made up of members from various communities from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal in the area and many members continue to be the part of the Management Committee since its beginning and has a track record of organising cultural activities successfully over a number of years.

This project has contributed to the promotion of activities in the London Borough of Greenwich through cultural, social, sports, arts, educational and information events that attract local people and visitors from all over London and neighbouring counties.

The Mela (Festival of Harmony) has helped to foster racial harmony between the indigenous population and ethnic minority as part of cultural activities for both our own members and for the whole community.

The Mela (Festival of Harmony) has also fostered and established good relations with organisations and community groups in the United Kingdom and the Indian sub-continent as appropriate groups have been invited to send artists, musicians and representatives to the Mela and vice versa.

The Mela (Festival of Harmony) encourages local talent and school children to take part in the activities.

Many organisations, businesses and educational institutions share our success by organising individual or joint activities as the Mela provides an opportunity to the new Businesses to publicise and launch their businesses and the old businesses to promote their products.

Many dignitaries and VIPs come to visit the Mela as it offers them the opportunity to see and be part of the celebration with the people of Greenwich and witness the contribution of the of the Mela Committee and Asian community to society.

Tony Blair commented in one of Mela Brochures “…One of this year’s themes – co-operation between the ethnic minority communities and the police to support and enhance community harmony – is an important one which we should all embrace. By working together, we can build a society which encourages all the communities within it to flourish and grow. ….”

In previous years the Mela was attended by Mr. Mike O’Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Home Office, Mr. Nick Raynsford, Minister for London, Mr. Ken Livingston, Mr. John Austin and Mr Clive Efford.

The Mega-Mela for the year 2007 will be celebrated as usual in Plumstead Common highlighting its theme of unity and diversity of cultures from 10 am to 8 pm on Sunday the 24th of June 2006. This festival of Harmony will be celebrated to bring the communities together and provide help and support to the micro-businesses in a big way.

Groups or individuals for further information can call the Asian Mela Office at
3 Anglesea Mews, Woolwich SE18 6ER (Tel: 020 8855 2222, Fax: 020 8317 3371,
Mobile: 07930397020).