LONDON: It was a fairly warm, sunny day Sunday 6th September 2015 in Gunnersbury Park, and it was time for the annual Zee London Mela again, with Asian Voice as the print media partner. Now firmly established on the UK calendar, local residents get used to road blocks to stop unnecessary parking and an influx of groups of people all heading in one direction on foot and by car. Not swarming; more jumping, hopping, skipping, running, or just plain walking with purpose.
There was definitely a relaxed atmosphere this year, and everything seemed highly organised. To the left as you looked at the main entrance was a line of fairground attractions; swirling wheels and rides designed to give a thrill.
But the items were nicely spaced out; there was loads of room to move and breathe, unlike some fairs. There were stall galore; food, clothes, books, Asian media outlets, Sky selling its products, and a mesmerising mini massage area, with at least two masseurs toiling hard on pressure points for clients covered up for privacy and looking totally relaxed.
The biggest crowds were around the sound stages; the Asian Network just near the entrance and the larger, main stage, in the other corner of the arena.
The Dhol players and Raghav were two high points of the many headline performance acts.
In amongst the big ticket numbers happening around the stages there were groups of people happily lolling on the grass or strolling around. The Carom Board area was fun; several tables set out in a line attracted players who seemed absorbed by their games.
Most of those on the ground were enjoying food; containers of different colours and cuisines were in almost every hand.
The Hare Krishna group was playing their familiar hand cymbals with a dancer and singer in their tent.
One young bubbly Indian group was excited and spontaneously exclaimed the day was “Amazing!” while declaring it would be back next year for more. Anjli in the group was ecstatic at getting herself a selfie with her singer-pop idol, Arjun.
The necessary police pairs keeping law and order were smiley. They said they were enjoying the day and were “Very happy.”
Carla and Nigel, a couple who attend every year, tried to scratch their memories about previous dates as they beamed at everyone.
“It was more like an Indian summer with warmer evenings- we seem to recall it started off in August, though it is still a lovely day today” they said, making an observation while clearly enjoying themselves. They keep returning because they love the event, they said.
The organizers have had their funding cut somewhat so to make up the shortfall decided to charge for entry this year, Louise, head of Press and PR, said. One hopeful Bangladeshi attendee from the local Jubraj restaurant said that some flying in for the event from Europe may not have been aware of the charge. There was a slight perception among one or two that numbers were affected, but this has yet to be verified and may not be the case.
Artistic Director Ajay Chhabra said, “We had three choices; no event, or a much smaller one, or to charge. The enthusiasm for Mela resulted in opting to continue.”
From the energy and rapt attention of the crowds on the ground, it certainly seemed that Zee Asian Mela 2015 was as big a hit as ever, with the spectacular fireworks display visible and audible for miles.
And a proud moment- as Artistic Director Ajay Chhabra said that while waiting for his first audition for my children’s theatre company as a young actor, he had sat in Gunnersbury Park nearby rehearsing his lines…and so the seeds of Asian Mela were sewn. Very well done Ajay and team!
