Worcester Mela at Pitchcroft racehorse is set to become city's first traditional South Asian fair according to Cllr Jabba Riaz

Councillor Jabba Riaz Chair of the Worcester Mela is bringing Worcester's first ever traditional South Asian fair to Pitchcroft racecourse from 10am to 5pm on Sunday as part of the Worcester show. 

The word 'mela' translates to fair or festival that welcomes people from all walks of life to enjoy singing, dancing, food from the Indian subcontinent and a host of different activities. 

People can come down and watch the performances for free, but subsidiary activities will come with an additional cost. 

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Semi-classical dancer Sabira Mollah strikes a pose

Worcester Mela is set to be no different and the event will showcase South Asian culture. 

Several performers and celebrities will also be attending the event including well-known chef Suki Pantal, alongside her will be the Dhol Crew who played traditional drums at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games and rapper Amrit Saab. 

Cllr Riaz said: "All the traditional aspects of a South Asian mela will be there." 

Special Appearance!🤩Having just performed at the opening of the Commonwealth, we are thrilled to have @DholCrew performing on the main stage! 🪘#WorcesterMela #worcestermela22 #Theworcestershow #Mela22 #Worcestershire #Familyevent #Liveperformance #dholdrumming #music pic.twitter.com/euH5nYgQT8

— Worcester Mela (@WorcesterMela) August 11, 2022

Melas are a common feature of South Asian culture and Cllr Riaz said he is hoping to recreate the same atmosphere as the melas seen in London, Birmingham and Leicester.  

He added: "We'll have traditional folk music, storytelling, live cooking demos, dancing, food and market stalls. 

"We recognise we are British Asian people and we want to express ourselves and our identities while paying respects to our routes. 

Cllr Marc Bayliss, Cllr Jabba Riaz, MP Robin Walker, Sabira Mollah, Jac Cartwright, High Sheriff Andrew Manning-Cox, Matthew Hopkins

Cllr Riaz credits the people in Worcester 

Cllr Riaz said: "The response we've had to this has been fantastic, we're one of the kindest places to live in the UK. 

"We're small enough to be a village even though we're a city. 

"We are a place of many cultures and faiths and we're inviting people to celebrate that."

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Earlier this year the organisers of Worcester Mela hosted an event at Worcestershire Royal Hospital to commemorate the lives lost in the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Cllr Riaz said: "We as a community felt we could not move onto a celebration without recognising this dark period that has affected so many."