A cultural extravaganza celebrating the various cultures of India attracted a large crowd in Southampton at the weekend.

The inaugural Vaisakhi Mela on Saturday, April 27, proved to be a resounding success with attendees as it boasted delicious food, music and an upbeat dance workshop.

Organiser Anjali Mavi from the Hampshire Indian Community said the ‘first of its kind’ event at Oasis Academy Lordshill was to ‘showcase cultural activities’.

Anjali was also keen to raise money for charity Mencap through the event, a charity close to her heart.

With food and beverage stalls dotted throughout the event, and the chance to buy raffle tickets, there were plenty of opportunities for people to support the charity.

Daily Echo: Anjali Mavi, second to the right, with her organising team. L-R: Renu Dublish, Seema, Paran, and Jitender MaviAnjali Mavi, second to the right, with her organising team. L-R: Renu Dublish, Seema, Paran, and Jitender Mavi (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “This is the first time something like this has been held in Southampton. Nobody has done a Mela event like this.

“For us, it is all about having all these diverse communities from different parts of India in one place.

“We are showcasing different cultures. But there are also many people like me in Southampton who moved to the city and have no family here.

“So, events like this can give people a boost. This is a great time for people to eat, dance, and buy from small businesses.”

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Sutapa Mukherjee from Southampton said the Mela highlighted all the different parts of India.

Daily Echo: Sutapa MukherjeeSutapa Mukherjee (Image: Newsquest)

The 49-year-old said: “This event is a really nice way of bringing different communities together.

“Everybody has been invited to the Mela and today we are celebrating the festival of Vaisakhi and the goodness of Spring.”

Manpreet Kaur, 31, added: “There are so many things showcasing our culture, and it is important to have events like this in Southampton.

“I am hoping there will be more events like this in the next six months or year.”

Daily Echo: Manpreet Kaur, left Manpreet Kaur, left (Image: Newsquest)

The event comes after thousands of people lined the streets of Southampton on April 14 to celebrate Vaisakhi.

Bevois Valley was bursting with colour as the procession made its way through the city.

Vaisakhi is one of the most important events in the Sikh calendar.

It commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth - the community of committed Sikhs - by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.