Mela is a style of festival that first came to Britain in the late eighties and was introduced to Edinburgh in 1995 by members of the Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani communities. This is now a big multi-cultural event that includes Chinese and African input as well. Past years have featured pop sensation Raghav Rajastani and a fakir complete with bed of nails and spinning pots and pans. DJ Dr Zeus, Bhanghra pioneers Alaap and Legacy, and Bollywood dance troupe Angel Dancers. Giant spinning shadow puppets fill the site and, rounding out a weekend of great variety are choirs and musicians, a fashion show and a Scottish South Asian choir combining Bengali poetry with Robert Burns.

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Various.