On Sunday 14 November, London Mela returns from its pandemic induced hiatus to present Southall Carnival of Lights. This event sees the Mela organisers create a one of a kind ‘Night Carnival’ featuring extraordinary performance, fabulously-lit floats and lots of community participation, all taking place in Southall, the oldest South Asian community in Europe.
Southall Carnival of Lights will be a secular celebration inspired by Diwali – the Hindu festival of light which signifies hope over despair. What better way could there be to celebrate the first London Mela event since 2019? It will be an event that brings all communities together both as audiences and as performers. Along with our partners Sunrise Radio, we aim to spread a little happiness and raise a few smiles as we emerge from the dark days of Covid and head towards the twinkling lights of the festive season.
As with any London Mela event, there are artists at the heart of this carnival. The procession will be led by The Dhol Company accompanied by the Munde Punjab De Bhangra Dancers. They will be followed by over 120 lit up paper lanterns made by 240 school children from Southall primary schools and their families.
Joining the parade are the engineers of imagination, Emergency Exit Arts who will present their magical Firebird sculpture and Nutkhut‘s fabulous stilkwalkers and Swyron. They will be promenading with Jay Kumar’s Bolly Brollys featuring Cirque Bijou’s illuminated umbrellas and Circus Flambe’s spectacular fire performers.
