Music is the only thing I know: Usha Uthup

Kanjeevaram sari. Big bindi. Mallipoo. Glass bangles. Broad smile. The unique voice. Unstoppable energy. That’s Usha Uthup for you! Her unconventional image is something that strikes everybody when she performs on stage. “But that wasn’t something I did consciously. I was born and brought up in a middle class Tam-Brahm family. Those days, the only option I had was to drape saris and I never knew that would become style statement later,” she smiles.

Having started off her career as a singer in nightclubs, she has indeed come a long way — crooning in more than 10 Indian and eight foreign languages. After all, who can forget those foot tapping numbers like Doston Se Pyar Kiya, Dum Maro Dum,  and Hari Om Hari?

“Whatever I am today is because of the love that people have for me.  I believe in music and of course, in myself. Thanks are due to fellow musicians and music enthusiasts who accept me the way I am,” she says.

More than a playback singer, the vocalist has been a live artiste at heart. Usha says her focus has been engaging the audience during stage shows. “First of all, I need to enjoy when I sing. Then, obviously, the energy would pass on to the audience. It’s all about how I communicate and the ability to understand and be understood. More than the language, to me it’s the emotions that matter. I think only the audience has changed today, but their love and affection is the same,” she tells us.

Despite the cut-throat competition, she has managed to be in this industry for 45 long years. Usha insists on being original and honest with whatever she does, and needless to say — that’s the secret of her success.

“I share a good rapport with everyone I choose to work with and that eventually reflects in my work. It is about how original you are. Even on the stage, you could see me improvising my own songs, or rendering the select songs of the other singers — I believe in presenting the audience my version of it, which will hold them in thrall throughout,” she says.

When asked her how she’s able to juggle reality show shoots, song recordings, and stage performances, she says she has learned to prioritise and that truly works for her. Usha never wants to retire from music. “Music is the only thing I know, and it’s good to see there are many promising singers out there. I love them all. From Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan to Arijit Singh,” she concludes.

QUICK five

Idea of happiness:
Listening to my grandchildren’s voice on the telephone!

The trait you dislike in others:
Dishonesty and double standards.

Greatest extravagance?
Buying things for my family, maybe?

Biggest regret?
I’m quite an emotional person. But I’ve not regretted it.

While in Chennai:
I love filter kaapi. Also whenever I am here, I make it a point to visit the Marina beach. There have been days where Kamal Haasan and I used to eat sundal on the beach together (laughs). We were good friends. Oh, no... We still are! (smiles).