Bhangramuffin / Reggae Fusion

Born into a family of Punjabi, Apache Indian was raised in Handsworth, Birmingham, UK, a racially mixed area with large Black and Asian communities, home of reggae bands such as Steel Pulse and UB40. By the early 1980s he was working with local sound systems and grew dreadlocks. Apache recorded his first single in 1990, "Movie Over India", initially a white-label pressing, until it was picked up by the reggae distributor Jet Star. The single mixed ragga and bhangra sounds and was hugely popular among audiences of both genres. Two further singles followed in a similar vein, "Chok There" and "Don Raja", bringing him to the attention of the major labels, signing a recording contract with Island Records. Apache Indian has recorded with Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, General Levy, Shaggy, A. R. Rahman, Asha Bhosle and Pras of the Fugees, Malkit Singh, and with Jazzy B on the album Dil Luteya, StereoNation, Bally Sagoo, Raghav, and Jim Beanz. His hit single "Boomshakalak" is featured in several Hollywood movies, including Dumb and Dumber and Dumb and Dumber To. It is also featured on the soundtrack for Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.

Resident DJ / Bollywood / Pop

Dance music pioneer & trailblazing DJ Ritu is a dance music legend & trailblazing broadcaster - the voice behind the UK’s definitive global music show, ‘A World in London’. She began her musical career in 1986 as a Soul/Disco/Pop DJ in London, and led to three decades of globetrotting in over 30 countries as a solo artist and band-leader of Sister India and The Asian Equation. She joined the BBC in 1991, presenting shows at BBC London, World Service, and also on Kiss FM, National Swedish Radio, and WDR Germany. A pioneering music chameleon, Ritu is the co-founder of cult label Outcaste Records, a Rough Guides CD compiler and the artistic director of the world’s two longest-running club nights – Club Kali and Kuch Kuch Bollywood Nights. DJ presents the UK’s definitive global music show, A World in London – weekly at SOAS Radio & Resonance 104.4FM. 

Traditional Sufi & Ghazal

British born, Najma Akhtar’s music encompasses traditional Ghazal, Sufi, World Jazz, Asian Underground, Delta Blues, Psychedelia, Rock, Western Folk, Celtic, Sufi, North African Blues, Irish Celtic nuances and more. Her unique and distinctive styles of fusing jazz with the ghazal, along with traditional bhajans, creates a beautiful marriage between the East and the West that is utterly compelling. 

Her first solo release in the UK, Qareeb, was universally acclaimed as a groundbreaking recording which led to tours and performances worldwide. Najma has collaborated with many of the world's most influential musical artists including, Jah Wobble, Philip Glass, Jethro Tull. She has recorded and toured with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, appearing on their MTV unplugged special which was recorded and released as a DVD and an album titled "No Quarter".

Carnatic Rock / Progressive Carnatic Fusion

Project MishraM or simply MishraM is a Progressive Carnatic fusion band from Bangalore, India ’MishraM’ is an amalgamation of the western genres of music like Rock, Metal, Jazz, Reggae and Electronic music centered around the Indian classical music. In Sanskrit, Mishram means ‘Mix’ and also denotes the number ‘Seven’.   The band was formed by 7 like-minded, talented youngsters and budding musicians who pushed the boundaries and believed in creating a unique style of infusing the magic of Indian classical elements with western rock music, setting them apart from traditional rock bands.   MishraM has performed across India and has won several awards and was the proud winner of the prestigious Maruti Suzuki-Colors of Youth-Season 7 and are now embarking on their first UK tour. 

For Croydon Mela they will be joined by British violinist Alice Barron.

Bollywood / Gujarati Folk

Founded in 1994 by Kiran Thakrar, Strings has become the foremost exponent of Indian music in UK and worldwide. Strings present spellbinding performances of Indian music in a range of styles, from Gujarati Folk Dandiya Raas & Garba to soul-shaking Bollywood classics to Bhangra to Swahili to Fusion.  During the Gujarati festival of Navratri Strings are in high demand and in 2018 they featured in Salman Khan’s Bollywood film, Loveratri. They have performed at many international festivals and royal receptions to TV shows such as the BBC’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks (where they did a rousing version of ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ alongside the presenters). They also covered Radiohead’s Creep performing alongside Bill Bailey in front of 20,000 people at Wembley arena over two nights. 

Nepali / Folk / Fusion

Namlo’s music is a unique blend of beautiful melodies and irresistible rhythms inspired by the diverse folk traditions, cultures and landscapes of Nepal. Fusing indigenous Nepalese folk with a range of global influences played by a fabulous array of top-notch world musicians, Namlo brings together cross-cultural rhythms from West Africa to Latin America, Nepalese bamboo flutes, Latin American guitar riffs, and gorgeous soaring vocals.

The band has featured on BBC Radio 3’s Global Beats show and played the Southbank Centre, Liberty Festival in Queen Elizabeth Park, London Jazz Festival, Greenwich & Dockland Festival, Union Chapel, Richmix and many, many more across the UK. 

Psychedelic Roots Reggae Mantra Rock

Croydon based, Stunflower is a multi-genre, cross-cultural trio of musicians, creating a cool collision of sound fusing psychedelic rock, funk, Mantra-rock, reggae, soul, blues.  The band is led by musicians and life-partners Thomas Idasseril Thomas (composer, guitars, vocals, loops) & Devaki Anne-Marie Thomas (vocals, drums, percussion) who are joined by Alex Barrett (bass guitar). A distinctly retro sound with high emotionality and groove the band draws influences/sounds like King Gizzard, The Free Nationals,  Sly & the Family Stone, The Band, Heart, Prince, Jon Anderson (Yes), The Clash, Talking Heads, Bob Marley.  Stunflower’s special Croydon Mela set will feature guest musicians on tabla, Hindustani vocals and a Kathak dancer playing songs with Sanskrit Mantras. Roots and Reggae meets Raga.

Chendamelam are popular temple instruments in Kerala, South India. For Croydon Mela this Chenda team will be performing Panchari melam and Singari melam. Pancharimelam is a percussion ensemble, performed at temple festivals in Kerala. Panchari is one of the major forms of Chendamelam and is the best known and most popular temple percussion genre. Pancharimelam followed with Singarimelam which includes fun with dance during the performance. The music of God's own country owes its origin to the ancient illustrious traditional heritage of the land and the unique culture of the people. This Croydon based Chenda team have been performing all over UK, Europe, Russia and USA since 2014.