AN ALL singing, all dancing cast of performers ensured everyone was on their feet at the ninth annual Oxford Mela festival.

Entertainer Jay Kumar led a Bollywood dance-off inside the Leys Leisure Centre with Oxford’s Lord Mayor and High Sheriff both encouraged to try out the latest moves from India.

It marked the beginning of Sunday’s vibrant, colourful festival, organised by the Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre.

In among the belly dancers, drumming workshops and ‘disco dad dancing’, the police and local good causes chatted to event-goers about the latest goings on while volunteers served plates of colourful curries.

Mr Kumar said: “I think we had everyone in the place joining in.

“Bollywood dancing is very easy to get the hang of and it’s great fun - we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to experience a different culture.

“We need to break down barriers between different communities and bring more love into everyone’s lives.

“Something like this is a fantastic vehicle for doing that.”

One of the Mela organisers, Padma Ramachandrappa, said she thought this year’s event was set to be the biggest so far after switching venue from the Rose Hill Community Centre.

She said: “The Oxford community has been wonderfully supportive, we really do appreciate it.

“We have tried to make it for all walks of life and have something for everyone.

“It is so nice to see everyone enjoying themselves.

“We have put a lot of work in but that’s what makes it worth it.”

The Mela comes as Oxford’s Hindu community continues its long search to find a permanent place of worship.

A lack of a temple has seen Hindus forced to move from one city venue to another leaving the community fragmented.

High Sherriff Richard Venables said he had been working with the group since being sworn in in April to try and find a solution to the long-running problem

The property developer said: “We are looking to have secured somewhere by mid-2020 at this stage.

“It is likely to involve finding an existing venue that is suitable.

“It is very difficult in Oxford because of the prices, we all know the challenges.

“But they are doing a lot for the local area and I think it will mean a lot more for them to have something they can call home.”