VeiBogiKece MelaiaDimur

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• published: 02 May 2012
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Melaia Dimuri -- Missed Roko Melaia Vakacegu Beatrice Lutukivuya Dimuri Friends and fans of Melaia Dimuri would be saddened by the news of her passing last week. Melaia was known for 2 hits CBM (Cakaudrove Bua Macuata) and Veibogi Kece. She was a member of the Dragon Swingers band entertaining at the Dragon Nightclub with Ken Jensen, Tom Mawi and other reknowned musicians. In fact Ken abandoned a possible medical career for music. This is an article by Tori Tokalau in the Fiji Times: Ms Dimuri was among female singers in Fiji who stirred up the local scene with her amazing talent and catchy tunes in the 1970s. "I remember when I was young and we weren't allowed into the Dragon Nightclub, I would run away from my home in Raiwai and sit by the flower beds outside the club just so I could hear Melaia sing," Ms Vulakoro said. "Then I would walk back home and get a hiding from my dad." Ms Vulakoro recalled Dimuri had such a beautiful talent. "She was one of my idols growing up. I really looked up to her because in a way, she paved the way for female artists in Fiji," she said. On Wednesday 14th March a memorial was held for Melaia at the Butt Street Methodist Church. Many including Seru Serevi and Sitiveni Rabuka gave eulogies. FIJI'S first lady of rock music Roko Melaia Vakacegu Beatrice Lutukivuya Dimuri died at the weekend after losing her battle with cancer. Known to her fans and colleagues in the music industry as Mela Dimuri, the 53-year-old granddaughter of statesman and former Tui Lau Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was cremated earlier this week in Sacramento, the US where she spent the later years of her life. During a memorial service at Wesley Butt Street Church in Suva yesterday, her uncle the former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka said Dimuri was prepared for her death. "She was ready to go so full of life while fighting the painful disease but I wasn't ready to let her go. She looked so good, great and on top of it," Mr Rabuka said in his eulogy after visiting her last week at a rehabilitation centre in the US. He said Dimuri exuded a radiant physical appearance that fell short of reflecting the pain and suffering she endured with her illness. "She was always a fighter with a strong personality. Many bemoaned the fact that she chose to be closer to her friends than her family. Her family was steeped in culture while she wanted to be free. "She just wanted to be Mela, free spirited. And music was the only way she could express herself freely. She found freedom in her music," Mr Rabuka said. He said she imparted with letters and parcels for him to bring back to Fiji for members of her family, including her mother and only sister. "She gave money for a cake and for some grog for me to take to her parents as her soro. "Tukuna vei nau na noqui soro (Tell mum, I'm sorry)," were her final words before Mr Rabuka left her just days before she passed away. Dimuri is survived by her three children and nine grandsons. Melaia Dimuri will be missed.