WITH Parramatta having the largest Indian population in Australia, it is appropriate that two major events celebrating Indian culture should be in our city.

First up for the 8100 Indians in Parramatta, as well as those who love Indian culture, is Saturday’s free concert with the Oscar-winning composer of the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, A.R. Rahman, in Parramatta Park.

Parramatta will be “a river of light’’, restaurants will be decorated and there will be street performers throughout the night.

Rahman requested Parramatta for the concert as a way of building cultural harmony and promoting it is a safe and welcoming city.

More than 60,000 people are expected to flood into Parramatta for the concert..

That concert will be a prelude to November’s large Australian Festival of South Asian Arts, Parramasala.

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally said the seven day festival would put western Sydney on the world stage.

“Parramatta has the biggest population of Indian and south Asian people in Australia, and is the perfect location for this festival,’’ she said.

Tentatively scheduled for November 5 to 12, the festival will open with a parade through the streets of Parramatta.

The following days will see a Bollywood film festival, a celebrity Twenty20 cricket match, theatre, markets, while Parramatta Stadium will host a concert.

A popular highlight of the Indian calendar, Diwali the festival of lights, will also be included.

Parramasala exhibitions and events will be held in public spaces and venues around Parramatta, and Lord Mayor Paul Garrard said business could expect benefits.

“The spending power of the thousands of visitors who we will welcome to the area will benefit all economic sectors,’’ he said.

“Those businesses looking for overseas suppliers or export contacts will hopefully have many doors opened for them.’’

Parramasala’s inaugural chief executive officer and artistic director will be Philip Rolfe, executive producer at the Sydney Opera House. The name of the festival reflects the combined Australian and Indian culture. Masala is a Hindi word meaning “mix’’.

Special transport arrangements will be in place for the concert, with CityRail operating additional services and special event clearways and road closures in operation. Patrons are encouraged to use public transport as there is no parking at Parramatta Park.

Cr Garrard says Church St will be transformed into a “river of light’’ on Saturday night.

He said it was an honour that A.R. Rahman, Golden Globe and double Oscar winner for his Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, had chosen Parramatta for his free concert, which is part of the Sydney Festival.

“We will be decorating Parramatta, lighting up Church St and restaurants will be decked out in eye-catching Bollywood designs and staying open for those wanting something tasty to eat after the concert,’’ Cr Garrard said.

There also will be roving entertainers and friendly wayfinders will be on duty to direct people in the right direction to find a restaurant or the best route home.

“It is also a reflection of our diversity and will encourage cultural harmony and understanding between all residents and visitors,’’ Cr Garrard said.

Parramatta Council has also organised a series of promotions designed to promote the city’s business community and the vital role it plays in making Parramatta a vibrant, eventful city with plenty to see and do across retail, attractions, restaurants, cafes and accommodation.

Free A.R. Rahman Festival Packs will be distributed to hundreds of businesses across the CBD and Harris Park.

To encourage shops to get involved, the council is holding a competition for the best dressed business.

Cr Garrard met United India Association’s vice president, Dilip Chopra, last week to discuss the upcoming events.

“The Indian community will be flocking to Parramatta for the Rahman concert and the Indian festival in November,’’ Mr Chopra told the Advertiser.

“This is an honour for Parramatta and it is good to see the Lord Mayor so excited.’’