On the weekend of 9 and 10 June, Harrow Leisure Centre was bustling with energy, as around 2000 people gathered to celebrate the annual Anand Mela by Asian Business Publications Limited, the publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar newsweeklies.
ABPL group, which works closely with the British Asian community have designed many such events over the years to entertain and serve the diaspora, and keep the cultural connection alive.
Proceedings from ticket sale at Anand Mela every go to a designated charity.
This year's selected charity was Help A Poor Child. Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable is the patron for this charity, which was founded in 1980 by Derrick Pereira visiting India, who was presented with a challenge by an Indian nun, Mother Colombiere, of "doing something for the poor".
The 8th Anandmela, which is one of UK's most thriving cultural festival over two days hosted a variety of stalls for food, fashion, wedding, beauty, property and investment, health and well-being and others.
One of the main attractions being food always, the event served various Indian preparations this year, including samosa, kachodi, aloo tikki chat, and other items. Drinks included frapuccino, milk shake, lassi, sugarcane juice and ice creams that were served to beat the heat.
Asset India a London-based company that helps NRIs and PIOs buy and sell Indian real estate had stalls in the mela. They were formed in 2011, and since then have built up a loyal client base through an investment in over 200,000 sq. ft. of residential space. A large propotion of their sales come through repeat purchases - testimony to the satisfaction of the clients.
The company's knowledge of the Indian market ensures that you avoid the pitfalls and get good deals, both when you want to buy, and when you want to sell. And in between, we do the renting and property management as well. Plus, they know how much you value a hassle-free experience. So the company focuses a lot on helping with the nitty-gritty, taking the pain away as much as possible.
The event witnessed varied cultural performances by highly sought performers, community organisations, and school children.
Cultural line-ups included a sizzling performance bynoted singer Navin Kundra, dancers from Mira Performing Arts, singer Kishan Amin, young performers from AK Dance Academy, singers from London Sharad Utsav, dance and old Bollywood songs by Dakshinayan UK, songs and dances by Dakshinayan kids, songs and garba by singer Dhrumal Shah, A mix of Kathak and Bollywood by dancer Anashmita Saha, Ahana Sikkha Ghosh of Sur Bharti, Payal Basu Chatterjee, young singer Renia Ganguly, who came all the way from Birmingham, classical Odissi dancer Alkananda Mahapatra who did a piece on climate change, dancer Shruti Sharma, who performed on Ghoomar, singer Geetika Sulekh, singer Mukesh from Lisbon, Portugal, Bollywood dance by Bollyfusion UK and Kathiavadi comedy by Lalit Mehta.
Navin Kundra, the noted British Asian musician and actor, who entered into the Guinness book of World records with his song 'Mehbooba', is hosting his first show this weekend. He secured 3 consecutive top 20 English singles in the UK Urban charts last year and is a celebrated youth icon in the UK.
Kishan Amin, popular British Asian singer, enthralled the audience at the Mela with his voice. He has performed at prestigious venues such as The O2 Arena, Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall. He has toured internationally in Las Vegas, Japan, Thailand, India and across Europe. He has signed a deal with International record label Sa Re Ga Ma.
Dakshinayan UK is an academic affiliate of Dakhinee (Kolkata, India) and UK curriculum (helping children acquire UCAS points). They are the cultural wing of London Durgotsav Committee, a registered charity. Dakshinayan Kids, part of Dakshinayan UK, were a part of London's biggest Durga Puja celebrations last year. They are an affiliated institute, training children in Hindustani Vocal and Kathak.
Performers from London Sharad Utsav (LSU), that aims to promote Bengal's heritage through cultural and religious events, lit up the stage with traditional Bollywood numbers. LSU is a registered charity and is popular for its grand flagship event, the Bengali festival of Durga Puja, in London.
The inauguration of the Anand Mela took place in presence of our esteemed guests, parliamentarians and councillors with lighting of the lamp and prayers.
Health and Wellness Expo
Health and fitness has always been one of our prime focuses, and this year is no different. With support and association of Meditouria, the Anand Mela Health and Wellness Expo this year focussed on services you never knew you needed. Specialist consultants and doctors from major super speciality hospitals and health centres from India were present at the expo. They provided consultations on physical ailments and any kind of sicknesses. Participant hospitals included: Apollo Hospital Group, Fortis JK Hospital Udaipur and Nova IVI IVF Centre.
Community Recognitions
First time in the Mela's history, chosen community organisations were honoured for their indomitable spirits and relentless work in the community and for its welfare. This included London Sharad Utsav, Save Girls, Educate Girls, Inspiring Women, Women to Women, Hindu Council Croydon, Gayatri Parivar UK, Sanatan Dharma Mandal and Hindu Community Centre, Cardiff, Tarapur UK, Sanskruti, Shree Sorathia Vanik Association, Om Shakti Centre, Pinnak’s, Satsang UK, LCNL Senior Mahila Centre and Lohana Community North London.
