Bringing a bit of India to Paisley
First ever Mela aims to bring communities together
A colourful celebration of Indian dance, music, food and culture will come to Paisley Town Hall tomorrow.
The first Paisley Winter Mela is a partnership between the Abhinaya Dance Academy and the University of the West of Scotland.
Together, they’ve planned a day of incredible events, many of which are free to attend.
The aim is to bring communities together to celebrate and promote the diverse cultures in the town and Renfrewshire as a whole.
It will also recognise Abhinaya’s 15 years of training in classical Indian Bharatanatyam Dance.
A Sanskrit word meaning a gathering or a fair, Mela is widely used across the Indian subcontinent, but it is the first time it has been used in Paisley for a major event.
Creative director of the Abhinaya Dance Academy, Esther Sunija Binu, said: “It is our great pleasure to bring something of the excitement of a Mela to Paisley. The day will be a multicultural celebration of music and dance.”
On stage there will be performances from Abhinaya’s Dance Academy, Scottish step dancing, Bollywood-style dancing and a display of Carnatic vocal music from South India.
Scottish step dancing was virtually lost after the Highland Clearances but has been brought back in recent years. Wearing hardsoled shoes, the dancers tap out the rhythm of the dances.
There will also be henna hand painting, Chinese calligraphy, children’s art and craft workshops, stalls selling gifts and clothing and a food court selling cuisine from the continent.
Professor Craig Mahoney, principal and vice chancellor of UWS, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Abhinaya Dance Academy to deliver Paisley’s very first Mela.
“It reinforces the university’s commitment to supporting the local community which we are a part of.
“We are particularly pleased that some of our events students are assisting in the planning of the Mela.
“Not only is this an excellent opportunity for our students professionally, but on a personal level they are also having a positive impact on the community we serve.”
The Mela is on from 1.30pm till 4pm and all events are free. From 4pm till 8pm there is a dance and music showcase which is ticketed and costs £6 for adults and £5 for children and concessions. Under 5s are free.
More than 100 students of Abhinaya Dance Academy, which runs classes in Paisley, will perform Bharatanatyam dance where every movement of the fingers and eyes, feet and body has a meaning and dates back at least 2,000 years.
Esther has also put together a tribute dance to the Indian soldiers who fought and died in World War
We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Abhinaya Dance Academy to deliver Paisley’s very first Mela Professor Craig Mahoney
I, entitled A Mother’s Pride.
She said: “These men have been forgotten in history.
“We have attempted to show the love and the pride of one mother whose son dedicated his life to his country.”
The festival is supported by the National Lottery, Renfrewshire Council, and the University of the West of Scotland among others.
For more information, go to paisleymela.wordpress.com/