Edinburgh mela
Encyclopedia
The Edinburgh Mela is an annual multi-cultural festival held in Edinburgh
, Scotland
,and is one of the 12 festivals that make up the Edinburgh Festival
. The first mela
, a Sanskrit
word meaning "gathering" or "to meet", was held in 1995 at Meadowbank Stadium
, and was organised by members of the city's minority ethnic communities. The festival moved to Pilrig Park in 2000, and to Leith Links
in 2010. Running over three days in September, the event attracts around 20 to 25,000 people each year.
Creative Scotland
said "The [2010] program aimed to and successfully reflected a range of cultural influences and intercultural influences through the selection of music, film, arts workshops and stalls. The festival site contributed massively to the overall Mela programme offering a centre and focus for celebration, community togetherness and providing the context for a great family day out."
The Edinburgh Mela Festival, Scotland’s foremost celebration of cultural diversity through arts and culture, returns to Leith Links with an exciting programme including Maasai Tribal Warriors and world class musical performances, as well as the firm favourites of the fashion show and children events.
Taking place September 2 to 4 and now in its 16th year, the Mela will be themed around Asian urban arts under the artistic guidance of new director Stephen Stenning
.
Funded and supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and Creative Scotland
, the Mela will also see the unveiling of a specially-commissioned Pandal, supported by the Scottish Government’s Expo Fund, formed of South Asian and Scottish cultural symbols designed and created by Bengali
and Scottish artists.
At the launch of the 2011 programme, Stephen Stenning said "The 2011 Mela boasts a truly varied multi-national and multi-cultural programme. The weekend includes an urban music programme featuring award-winning artists, choirs, traditional dancers, world music, sport, circus, a fashion show, drumming, beat-boxing and BMX."
The Mela will be returning to Leith Links for the 17th Edinburgh Mela Festival. The venue proved to be very popular last year and it is also continues the Mela’s strong and fruitful association with Leith.
The relationship between South Asian and Scottish culture is further highlighted with a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore
, the first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Tagore translated many Burns songs and poems and the Edinburgh Mela celebrates that association in a tribute to the Bengali poet.
The Big Top Tent will play host to an impressive collaboration of Indian and Western musicians, Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti, performing their world premiere which builds on the achievements of the acclaimed Nava Rasa ensemble. Also performing is the award-winning urban singing sensation Mumzy Stranger
who combines R&B and hip hop with the New Jack Swing riffs and reggae-inspired rhythms. MOBO Award winner classical Hindi and RnB singing sensation Raghav
, phenomenal Punjabi vocalist Des-c and his band, along with newcomer to the UK Asian pop scene Junai Kaden will be performing over the weekend.
Elegant Asian high fashion mixed with raw contemporary western designs will be laced down the catwalk this year at the Mela Fashion Show, devised by Dutch ex-supermodel Anna Freemantle.
There will also be a range of free sporting activities for children and adults including cricket at Leith Links supported by ActivCity and City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Sport.
Other performers over the weekend include Dance Ihayami – Ekam who will present the world premiere of their spectacular brand new dynamic Indian classical dance production; breaking new ground with its cross-cultural overtones, also, Jaipur Kawa Circus, a charming family story of a travelling circus troupe from Rajasthan using materials, rhythm and music to tell their tale. Ashesh and Nekhvam are Nepal's outstanding blues rock band with their unique blend of rock, blues and Eastern rhythms will be at the festival as well.
The Garden Stage will be a platform for Bollywood
and classical Indian dance along with choirs and musical jam sessions.
The Mela site will be transformed with colourful original creations made by a combination of West Bengali and Scottish artists. The project, led by artists Nandita Palchoudhuri and Graeme Gilmour and supported by The Scottish Governments Expo Fund, includes a spectacular original commissioned structure, representing architecture from India and Scotland, and specially designed flags and banners combining Scottish and South Asian symbols.Nandita is based in Kolkata but has worked all over the world (including having created spectacular works for the Thames Festival in the UK). Graeme Gilmour is a Scottish artists and who has created structures and designs for major events and performances outdoors (“Sticky” and “Full Circle”) and for theatre (Shockheaded Peter’).
For more information and the 2011 festival highlights visit http://edinburgh-mela.co.uk/2011/festival-2011/.
n events which have spread around the world from the south Asian subcontinent. Mela means 'gathering' and can describe festival, market, trade event, religious gathering and more. Melas are celebrated with music
, dance
, theatre
, fashion
, food
and stalls, these are days for the whole family, to join in and embrace south Asian culture. Melas are distinguished by their bringing together of south Asian cultures and those of other countries when promoted by south Asian Diasporas abroad. Melas first came to Britain in the late eighties.
The Edinburgh Mela is something unique and is not an attempt to merely recreate its south Asian counterpart. You are immediately aware of both Scottish and Asian cultures converging in a celebration of colourful costumes and performances. You are quickly immersed in the atmosphere of a bazaar with the food aromas of the east and traders selling clothes, fabrics, jewellery, crafts and much more. The Edinburgh Mela is a place to wander around and mix with people from all around the globe, all enjoying this spectacular event.
, London Road, Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Mela Company formed in 1996 and since then it has sought to use the form to create a very distinct and ambitious model for a multi-cultural platform. It has grown from its routes within Edinburgh’s South Asian communities to be an outward-looking organisation presenting an event with cultural offerings from across the globe. Edinburgh Mela now commissions and produces innovative work and is seen as Scotland’s foremost celebration of cultural diversity.
2010–Present
Pilrig
Park 2000-2007 & 2009
Ocean Terminal
2008
Meadowbank Stadium
1995-1999
In a recent survey to evaluate the social and Cultural Impact of the Edinburgh Mela over 85% of those asked said that the Edinburgh Mela Festival increases their pride in the city. 93% said that the Edinburgh Mela gives a positive message about diverse ethnic culture, 63% said that the Mela was a unique festival from any other festival that they had experienced and over 85% said that the Mela provided them with access to international work they would not otherwise get to see.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
,and is one of the 12 festivals that make up the Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
. The first mela
Mela
Mela is a Sanskrit word meaning 'gathering' or 'to meet' or a Fair. It is used in the Indian subcontinent for all sizes of gathering and can be religious, commercial, cultural or sports. In rural traditions melas or village fairs were of great importance...
, a Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
word meaning "gathering" or "to meet", was held in 1995 at Meadowbank Stadium
Meadowbank Stadium
Meadowbank Stadium is a multi-purpose sports facility located at Meadowbank, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It hosted the Commonwealth Games of 1970 and 1986.-Layout:...
, and was organised by members of the city's minority ethnic communities. The festival moved to Pilrig Park in 2000, and to Leith Links
Leith Links
Leith Links is the principal open space within Leith, the harbour district of Edinburgh, Scotland. This public park extends to . In its current form it is largely flat and bordered by mature trees. Historically it was an undulating area of former sand-dunes utilised as a golf links.-Current...
in 2010. Running over three days in September, the event attracts around 20 to 25,000 people each year.
Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is a development body for arts and cultural industries in Scotland. It inherited the functions of Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council on 1 July 2010, and has an additional remit for the Creative Industries...
said "The [2010] program aimed to and successfully reflected a range of cultural influences and intercultural influences through the selection of music, film, arts workshops and stalls. The festival site contributed massively to the overall Mela programme offering a centre and focus for celebration, community togetherness and providing the context for a great family day out."
2011
A colourful celebration of the world’s different cultures returns to the capital, bursting at the seams with a jam packed three day programme.The Edinburgh Mela Festival, Scotland’s foremost celebration of cultural diversity through arts and culture, returns to Leith Links with an exciting programme including Maasai Tribal Warriors and world class musical performances, as well as the firm favourites of the fashion show and children events.
Taking place September 2 to 4 and now in its 16th year, the Mela will be themed around Asian urban arts under the artistic guidance of new director Stephen Stenning
Stephen Stenning
Stephen Stenning is Director of Edinburgh Mela. He previously was Senior Producer at UZ Ltd. delivering festivals such as "Big in Falkirk" , "The Merchant City Festival" and working directly with artists and companies...
.
Funded and supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is a development body for arts and cultural industries in Scotland. It inherited the functions of Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council on 1 July 2010, and has an additional remit for the Creative Industries...
, the Mela will also see the unveiling of a specially-commissioned Pandal, supported by the Scottish Government’s Expo Fund, formed of South Asian and Scottish cultural symbols designed and created by Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
and Scottish artists.
At the launch of the 2011 programme, Stephen Stenning said "The 2011 Mela boasts a truly varied multi-national and multi-cultural programme. The weekend includes an urban music programme featuring award-winning artists, choirs, traditional dancers, world music, sport, circus, a fashion show, drumming, beat-boxing and BMX."
The Mela will be returning to Leith Links for the 17th Edinburgh Mela Festival. The venue proved to be very popular last year and it is also continues the Mela’s strong and fruitful association with Leith.
The relationship between South Asian and Scottish culture is further highlighted with a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
, the first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Tagore translated many Burns songs and poems and the Edinburgh Mela celebrates that association in a tribute to the Bengali poet.
The Big Top Tent will play host to an impressive collaboration of Indian and Western musicians, Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti, performing their world premiere which builds on the achievements of the acclaimed Nava Rasa ensemble. Also performing is the award-winning urban singing sensation Mumzy Stranger
Mumzy Stranger
Muhammad Mumith Ahmed , better known by his stage name Mumzy Stranger, is a British MC, singer-songwriter and record producer. He made his mainstream recording debut in the summer of 2009 with his debut single "One More Dance," which topped the UK Asian Charts, as did the follow-up singles,...
who combines R&B and hip hop with the New Jack Swing riffs and reggae-inspired rhythms. MOBO Award winner classical Hindi and RnB singing sensation Raghav
Raghav
Raghav Mathur , known professionally as Raghav, is a Canadian singer currently signed to Cordova Bay Records. He is best known for his single "Angel Eyes" which peaked at number 7 in the UK in 2005...
, phenomenal Punjabi vocalist Des-c and his band, along with newcomer to the UK Asian pop scene Junai Kaden will be performing over the weekend.
Elegant Asian high fashion mixed with raw contemporary western designs will be laced down the catwalk this year at the Mela Fashion Show, devised by Dutch ex-supermodel Anna Freemantle.
There will also be a range of free sporting activities for children and adults including cricket at Leith Links supported by ActivCity and City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Sport.
Other performers over the weekend include Dance Ihayami – Ekam who will present the world premiere of their spectacular brand new dynamic Indian classical dance production; breaking new ground with its cross-cultural overtones, also, Jaipur Kawa Circus, a charming family story of a travelling circus troupe from Rajasthan using materials, rhythm and music to tell their tale. Ashesh and Nekhvam are Nepal's outstanding blues rock band with their unique blend of rock, blues and Eastern rhythms will be at the festival as well.
The Garden Stage will be a platform for Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
and classical Indian dance along with choirs and musical jam sessions.
The Mela site will be transformed with colourful original creations made by a combination of West Bengali and Scottish artists. The project, led by artists Nandita Palchoudhuri and Graeme Gilmour and supported by The Scottish Governments Expo Fund, includes a spectacular original commissioned structure, representing architecture from India and Scotland, and specially designed flags and banners combining Scottish and South Asian symbols.Nandita is based in Kolkata but has worked all over the world (including having created spectacular works for the Thames Festival in the UK). Graeme Gilmour is a Scottish artists and who has created structures and designs for major events and performances outdoors (“Sticky” and “Full Circle”) and for theatre (Shockheaded Peter’).
For more information and the 2011 festival highlights visit http://edinburgh-mela.co.uk/2011/festival-2011/.
Origins of the Mela
Melas are south AsiaAsia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n events which have spread around the world from the south Asian subcontinent. Mela means 'gathering' and can describe festival, market, trade event, religious gathering and more. Melas are celebrated with music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, fashion
Fashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
, food
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
and stalls, these are days for the whole family, to join in and embrace south Asian culture. Melas are distinguished by their bringing together of south Asian cultures and those of other countries when promoted by south Asian Diasporas abroad. Melas first came to Britain in the late eighties.
The Edinburgh Mela is something unique and is not an attempt to merely recreate its south Asian counterpart. You are immediately aware of both Scottish and Asian cultures converging in a celebration of colourful costumes and performances. You are quickly immersed in the atmosphere of a bazaar with the food aromas of the east and traders selling clothes, fabrics, jewellery, crafts and much more. The Edinburgh Mela is a place to wander around and mix with people from all around the globe, all enjoying this spectacular event.
Mela in Edinburgh
In 1995 people from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and other traditions of the sub-continent established a mela in Edinburgh. Chinese, African and other groups were also involved. The first festival was held in Meadowbank StadiumMeadowbank Stadium
Meadowbank Stadium is a multi-purpose sports facility located at Meadowbank, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It hosted the Commonwealth Games of 1970 and 1986.-Layout:...
, London Road, Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Mela Company formed in 1996 and since then it has sought to use the form to create a very distinct and ambitious model for a multi-cultural platform. It has grown from its routes within Edinburgh’s South Asian communities to be an outward-looking organisation presenting an event with cultural offerings from across the globe. Edinburgh Mela now commissions and produces innovative work and is seen as Scotland’s foremost celebration of cultural diversity.
Locations
Leith LinksLeith Links
Leith Links is the principal open space within Leith, the harbour district of Edinburgh, Scotland. This public park extends to . In its current form it is largely flat and bordered by mature trees. Historically it was an undulating area of former sand-dunes utilised as a golf links.-Current...
2010–Present
Pilrig
Pilrig
Pilrig is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The name derives from a tower at the end of a field .Pilrig lies midway between Leith and Edinburgh, west of Leith Walk. It is split by Pilrig Street, which marks the division between the EH6 and EH7 postcode districts...
Park 2000-2007 & 2009
Ocean Terminal
Ocean Terminal
Ocean Terminal may refer to:*Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh*Ocean Terminal, now demolished, at Southampton docks*Ocean Terminal, Greenock*Ocean Terminal, Hong Kong*Ocean Terminal , a British Transport Film...
2008
Meadowbank Stadium
Meadowbank Stadium
Meadowbank Stadium is a multi-purpose sports facility located at Meadowbank, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It hosted the Commonwealth Games of 1970 and 1986.-Layout:...
1995-1999
Social and Cultural Impact
Edinburgh Mela is one of the twelve partners within Festivals Edinburgh. It is therefore, a key part of the offer of the world’s leading festival city. As well as contributing a diverse programme with international, national and local artists, it celebrates Edinburgh’s communities and makes a statement about the multi-cultural nature of Scottish identity. The event has grown in popularity with increased audiences and a consequent move to a bigger site within its traditional Leith home. Edinburgh Mela is a friendly welcoming event with an extraordinarily diverse audience that reflects the range of ethnicities within modern Scotland.In a recent survey to evaluate the social and Cultural Impact of the Edinburgh Mela over 85% of those asked said that the Edinburgh Mela Festival increases their pride in the city. 93% said that the Edinburgh Mela gives a positive message about diverse ethnic culture, 63% said that the Mela was a unique festival from any other festival that they had experienced and over 85% said that the Mela provided them with access to international work they would not otherwise get to see.