Mela magic

Mela is the Indian word for a festival or fair and they're a growing part of cultural life in Britain. Croydon Mela, which attracted 25,000 people last year, is one of the biggest - a chance to sample great food, hear some good music and buy a few bangles.

It began five years ago, largely for the Asian community of the London Borough of Croydon, but as Bollywood films and other elements of South Asian culture have been breaking out of the community, so the Mela has begun to attract a wider audience.

In Lloyd Park, there's a main stage for the headline acts and then three smaller stages for different types of music. 'We used to put the young acts on the main stage, but it would mean that people might be hanging around all day to hear them,' explains programmer Susanna Roland. 'Now we've got the Nach Arena where young people can go all day with their friends and there's also a classical stage, away from the hustle and bustle, which attracts an older audience and a community stage for the local groups.'

Top draws include Taz (think an Indian Pan's People - I'll be off to the classical stage), B21 from Birmingham, the Dhol Foundation, and an exciting collaboration between flautist Ronu Majumdar and percussionist Trilok Gurtu which is premiered here before heading to Womad.

A sister World Party event is held the day before with a very wide range of British and international artists, including Courtney Pine,Z Star, Zohar and Mabulu from Mozambique.

World Party, Sat 13 Jul, Mela, Sun 14 Jul, Lloyd Park, Coombe Road, Croydon, Surrey (020-8253 1030).