It should be a treasure trove of photographic opportunities -  It is the biggest Bengali bash outside Bangladesh and it is happening this Sunday in London's Brick Lane the heart of Banglatown. The Baishaki Mela is the Bangla New Year Festival.

The event kicks off at 11am with a spectacular procession of Musicians, Dancers, Peacock boat, a Bridal Ride with Palki (Palanquin) and Rickshaws, a metal Elephant as well as children dressed in colourful traditional clothes and masks setting out from Allen Gardens and taking to the streets to share the warmth of 'Shubho Nobo Borsho' (Happy New Year). The procession will arrive at the main stage on weaver's fields (vallence road E1) just before 12 midday to mark the beginning of the Mela.

For the rest of day, the main stage will host everything from traditional folk, Baul and Bollywood to Bengali rock, bhangra and contemporary east/west fusion and Brick Lane will be pedestrianised for the whole day and is going to be transformed into a market place with over 45 curry houses spilling out on to the pavement offering curry alfresco. Other stalls will sell Bangladeshi fashion goods and traditional handicrafts.

If the weather continues on this weeks beautiful Spring path this event should be superb. Sadly the images here, taken form the Brick Lane site, are crap, and in no way reflect the vibrancy of the event...