BELLY-dancing, Halal food, and Kashmiri weight-lifting - it could only be the 22nd annual Asian mela.

Thousands flocked to Chestnut Fields at Waltham Forest town hall on Sunday for a taste of Asian culture.

Modern Bollywood dancers, who can be seen in blockbusters such as Slum Dog Millionaire and Bend It Like Beckham, were centre stage for the afternoon, moving to Indian and Pakistani music.

And professional belly-dancer Samsara gave lessons in the art of sensual dance, while world champion stone weight-lifters competed in a sport that originates from Pakistani tradition.

Two brothers Kamran Akhtar, 21, and Farhan Akhtar, 18, have trained to lift stone slabs that weigh up to 200 kilos. In the background, drummers play Pakistani dhols to add to the drama.

Kamran said: "It's a Kashmiri custom. We have to hold the slabs up above our shoulders with one arm.

"It's grown very big all around the world."

Away from the cheers and blazing music, families enjoyed the fair ground and an array of stalls selling Asian food, shalwar kameez clothing, and Islamic art.

Mayor of Waltham Forest Masood Ahmad, born and brought up in Pakistan, said: "This gets bigger and bigger every year.

"It's fantastic to see so many people from so many backgrounds, from different faiths and all walks of life, coming together."

Waltham Forest's event secretary Najma Shaheen said: "This day introduces people to Asian culture and is open to the whole community.

"It is always a big success and thousands of people always turn out.

"It's a chance for a mixture of people to taste Asian dance, music, food, and sport."

One family from Walthamstow had never experienced the mela before Sunday.

Habib Hassaen, 32, who was there with his wife Noorjan, 31, and four-year-old daughter Iqra, said: "We've enjoyed the day very much.

"Especially the music. My daughter, she loved the fairground rides."

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