The international day of disabled people at the Islington Assembly Hall. Picture: Tony Gay

A blind sitar legend who has played with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Coldplay was the star turn at a celebration of people with disabilities and their contribution to the community.

Highbury resident Baluji Shrivastav, of Northolme Road, who also performed at the Olympic closing ceremony, played at the International Day of Disabled People celebrations on Tuesday.

The event at Islington Assembly Hall in Upper Street, Islington, also saw speeches from the likes of Islington Council leader Cllr Catherine West and other performers including writer and performance poet Penny Pepper and the Isledon Road Community Choir, made up of people who use mental health services at Isledon Road Mental Health Resource Centre.

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Council’s executive member for health and wellbeing, said: “With government welfare reforms, there’s never been a more important time to champion disabled people in the borough.”