Mela most ambitious ever

A SINGER dubbed the Princess of Bhangra, an Iranian electro-pop band, a showcase of music from China and South Asia and a mini cricket world cup will be among the highlights of Scotland's biggest multicultural event this year.

The line-up for the Edinburgh Mela will feature its biggest ever indoor venue, a giant circus top, will also include a major dance-theatre production from Zimbabwe, Indian Idol runner-up Anshul Tomer, a Bhangra hip hop dance off, and an Indian-Scottish ceilidh.

The festival has also scored a major coup after the BBC Asian Network agreed to send DJs to the event and broadcast live from the big top.

The three-day event, traditionally held at the end of the capital's summer festivals season, is on a new date next month, which will see it go head-to-head with the first weekend of the Fringe after organisers decided to avoid a clash with the fasting period at Ramadan.

The Mela is also returning to Pilrig Park after a controversial experiment outside Ocean Terminal last year was dogged by bad weather.