Best pictures from Southampton Mela 2024 as thousands attend

Thousands of visitors from descended on the city on Saturday as Mela returned for another year of culture, food, dance and music.

On offer for the rain-soaked revellers were market stalls and traders at Southampton’s largest showcase of South Asian art and culture.

The festival had two main stages and an indoor stage that saw performances from cultural groups, musicians and singers such as Pooja Angra, Karan Rana and The Grand Union All Stars.

Attendees could treat themselves to street food such as chicken wings, onion bargees, samosas and rice as well as browse stalls selling traditional Indian and South Asian clothing and jewellery.

Simi Katheria, 37, was selling her dresses and women’s clothing at Mela.

Simi Katheria (Image: NQ) She said: “I have come to Mela today to sell my Indian ethnic women's wear that I have designed myself.

“Each has different embroidery, fabric and textures. Each of the design is inspired by a different region in India.

“I love the community aspect of Mela Festival – it brings the Indian community plus the wider community in Southampton together for a wonderful day of celebration.

“Meeting new people and sharing our beautiful culture is what I really think makes Mela work so well.”

Running for more than two decades, Mela now attracts around 30,000 people per year to enjoy music, dance and family activities from world-class artists.

Speaking during the festival, the leader of Southampton City Council, Cllr Lorna Fielker said: “Mela is so important for Southampton – it represents who we are as a city.

“We are open and welcoming to everybody and we have such a diverse range of cultures represented here and its just wonderful to see the art and tradition of those cultures being celebrated.

“The stalls are wonderful, and I have just treated myself to the best lunch ever trying some of the street food on offer. It doesn’t matter that it’s raining people are absolutely buzzing.”