La India Meliyara

Colombian La India Meliyará (born Melida Yara Yanguma) began attending music classes in 1972, but she was mostly influenced by her father, a local musician. After winning a festival called La Nueva Estrella de la Canción, the young and promising singer had the opportunity to make her first record, titled Homenaje Al Maestro José Barros, which was released in 1977. La Reina de la Cumbia (The Cumbia Queen) followed in 1979. Two years later, La India Meliyará joined the popular tropical music orchestra Sonora Dinamita touring worldwide and participating on successful records. In 1990, Melida Yara teamed up with her husband/producer, Rodrigo Morales, to form their own group. ~ Drago Bonacich