# Usha Uthup

Usha Iyer Uthup is an Indian pop, filmi, jazz, and playback singer during the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
She also sang the title song for the show Sarabhai vs Sarabhai in its first season. In 2024, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian Award presented by the Government of India.

## Personal life

Usha was born on 7 November 1947 into a Tamil Brahmin Iyer family in Mumbai. Her father was Vaidyanath Someshwar Sami Iyer.
She studied at St. Agnes High School, Byculla. When she was in school she was thrown out of music class because she didn't fit in with a voice like hers. But her music teacher recognized that she had some music in her and would give her clappers or triangles to play. Even though she was not formally trained in music, she grew up in an atmosphere of music. Her parents used to listen to a wide range from Western classical to Hindustani and Carnatic including Kishori Amonkar and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan on radio and she used to join them. She used to enjoy listening to Radio Ceylon.
Her next door neighbor was S.M.A. Pathan, who was then the deputy commissioner of police. His daughter, Jamila, influenced Usha to learn Hindi and take up Indian classical music. This fusion approach helped her to pioneer her unique brand of Indian pop in the 1970s. She is married to Jani Chacko Uthup who is from Manarcaud Painumkal family of Kottayam, and was formerly married to the late Ramu. They have a daughter Anjali and a son Sunny, named after the song, "Sunny". Her husband, Jani Chacko, died due to cardiac arrest on 8 July 2024.

## Career

Usha Uthup was a judge in Star Vijay's Airtel Super Singer Junior Season 1 and Airtel Super Singer 5. Her first public singing occurred when she was nine. Her sisters, who were already exploring a career in music, introduced her to Ameen Sayani, then the most popular radio announcer in India. Ameen Sayani gave her an opportunity to sing in the Ovaltine Music Hour of Radio Ceylon. She sang a number called "Mockingbird Hill". After that, several appearances followed through her teenage years.

### Singing Career

Usha Uthup started her music career in Chennai in 1969, singing in a small nightclub called Nine Gems in the basement of the erstwhile Safire Theatre complex on Mount Road, wearing a saree and leg calipers. Her performance was so well received that the owner of the nightclub asked her to stay on for a week. After her first night club gig, she began singing in Calcutta at night clubs such as "Trincas". She met her future husband, Uthup in Trincas . At about the same time, she also sang at "Talk of the Town", now known as "Not Just Jazz by the Bay" in Bombay (now Mumbai). After Trincas, her next engagement took her to Delhi where she sang at the Oberoi hotels. By happenstance, a film crew belonging to Navketan unit and Dev Anand visited the nightclub and they offered her a chance to sing movie playback. As a result, she started her Bollywood career with Ivory-Merchant's Bombay Talkies (1970) in which she sang an English number under Shankar-Jaikishan and then Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Originally, she was supposed to sing Dum Maro Dum along with Asha Bhosle for Hare Rama Hare Krishna. However, as a result of internal politicking on the part of other singers, she lost that chance but ended up singing an English verse.
In 1968, she recorded covers of two pop songs in English, "Jambalaya" and The Kingston Trio's "Greenback Dollar", on an EP, Love Story, and "Scotch and Soda", another Kingston Trio song, which sold very well in the Indian market. She also spent some time in London during this early period. She was a frequent visitor to Vernon Corea's BBC office at the Langham in London and was interviewed on London Sounds Eastern on BBC Radio London. Usha visited Nairobi as part of an Indian festival. She was so popular that she was invited to stay on. Singing and quite often nationalistic songs in Swahili made her extremely popular and the then President Jomo Kenyatta made her an Honorary Citizen of Kenya. She sang the famous song "Malaika" ('Angel') with Fadhili Williams who was the original singer. She produced a record "Live in Nairobi" with a local band Fellini Five.
Uthup sang several songs in the 1970s and 1980s for music directors R. D. Burman and Bappi Lahiri. She also reprised some of R. D. Burman songs that were sung by others such as "Mehbooba Mehbooba" and "Dum Maro Dum" and popularised them to a distinct end.
Uthup also sang for a two-volume collection of children's rhymes "Karadi Rhymes", which are "Indian Rhymes for Indian Kids", brought out by Karadi Tales (www.karaditales.com). The rhymes reflect the Indian ethos through the Sa-re-ga-ma, mangoes, Indian rivers, the train experiences, Indian festivals, indigenous trees, Cricket, Indian foods like bhelpuri and sambhar, Indian attire like the dhoti, sari, bindi and bangles and even some folk tales. With each rhyme set to an Indian raga, and sung in her characteristic voice with a feisty tempo, Usha creates the atmosphere for children and, surprisingly, even adults to sing along and dance to the toe-tapping beats.
She appeared as a judge on a singing reality show Bharat Ki Shaan: Singing Star – Season 2 (2012), aired on DD National channel, along with Ismail Darbar. She is the judge in the Season 3 of the show as well. She also appeared as a chief guest for Marathi singing reality show. She entertained the audience with Marathi songs.
She is a stage performer and gave performances all over the world and is known for her lively stage presence. She has been felicitated with several awards over the years, some of which include Rajiv Gandhi Purashkar for National Integration for quality music, Mahila Shiromani Purashkar for international peace, and Channel [V] award for outstanding achievement. She appeared on the Kapil Sharma Show on 26 May 2019.
She recorded her first album with Luis Banks for which she was paid Rs. 3500. Since then, she has recorded numerous albums. Usha's Hindi version of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough", titled "Chhupke Kaon Aya", can be found on the album Tom Middleton – The Trip (2004). A cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" is on another Tom Middleton album, Cosmosonica – Tom Middleton Presents Crazy Covers Vol. 1 (2005). She recorded a song called "Rhythm and Blues" with the Indian rock band Parikrama which appeared on Channel V on 23 April 2007. Uthup received a lot of recognition for having a unique voice that ranges between contralto and alto.

### Acting Career

Uthup is also an actress. In 2006, she acted in the Malayalam movie Pothan Vava as Kurisuveettil Mariamma.
She made a cameo appearance in the movie Bombay To Goa. In 2007, she appeared in Bow Barracks Forever directed by Anjun Dutt as herself. Again in 2007, she appeared in Hattrick music video as herself.
She appeared in disguise on Indian Idol 1 and 2. She was one of the co-judges of the 2007 and 2008 and Idea Star Singer Season V (2010).
She has a minor role in the 2010 Tamil movie Manmadan Ambu.
She also acted in Vishal Bhardwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf as a maid. She has also sung a song in the film which released on 18 February 2011. In 2012, she has starred in a Kannada film Parie.
In 2019, she appeared in the documentary If Not for You for which, she recorded a cover of "Blowin' in the Wind" by legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.

## Discography

| Year | Song | Film | Composer | Language |
| 1970 | "Jogan Pritam Ki" | Devi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Hindi |
| 1971 | "Mai bhi jaloon tu bhi jale" | Kabhi Dhoop Kabhi Chhaon | Chitragupta | Hindi |
| 1971 | "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" | Hare Rama Hare Krishna | R D Burman | Hindi |
| 1974 | "I am in love" | Kanyakumari | M B Sreenivasan | Malayalam |
| 1974 | "Love Is Just Around The Corner" | Chattakkari | G. Devarajan | Malayalam |
| 1975 | "Love is beautiful" | Melnaattu Marumagal | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | Tamil |
| 1975 | "Hello Lover" | Idhayakkani | M.S.Viswanathan | Tamil |
| 1976 | "It's Easy To Fool You" | Oorukku Uzhaippavan | M. S. Viswanathan | Tamil |
| 1977 | "Peethambara" | Siva Thandavum | M B Sreenivasan | Malayalam |
| 1977 | "How Can I Tell You" | Sangharsha | Vijaya Bhaskar | Kannada |
| 1977 | "We Have Got" | Sangharsha | Vijaya Bhaskar | Kannada |
| 1978 | "One Two Cha Cha Cha" | Shalimar | R D Burman | Hindi |
| 1978 | "Where there is" | Randu Penkuttikal | M S Vishwanathan | Malayalam |
| 1980 | "Hari Om Hari" | Pyaara Dushman | Bappi Lahiri | Hindi |
| 1980 | "Doston Se Pyar Kiya" | Shaan | R D Burman | Hindi |
| 1980 | "Shaan Se..." | Shaan | R D Burman | Hindi |
| 1981 | "Ramba" | Armaan | Bappi Lahiri | Hindi |
| 1981 | "Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyara Hai" | Wardat | Bappi Lahiri | Hindi |
| 1982 | "Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache" | Disco Dancer | Bappi Lahiri | Hindi |
| 1984 | "Oh my darling" | Oru Sumangaliyude Kadha | Herself | Malayalam |
| 1988 | "Sidhartha" | Sidhartha | Shyam | Malayalam |
| 1988 | "Akka Alla Tangi Alla" | Vijaya Khadga | Hamsalekha | Kannada |
| 1984 | " Hey Diwana" | Kaveri | | Odia |
| 1990 | "Naaka Bandi" | Naaka Bandi | Bappi Lahiri | Hindi |
| 1991 | "Uri Uri Baba" | Dushman Devta | Bappi Lahiri | Hindi |
| 1991 | "Vegam Vegam Pogum Pogum" | Anjali | Ilaiyaraaja | Tamil |
| 1991 | "Keechurallu" | Keechurallu | Ilaiyaraaja | Telugu |
| 1993 | "Chalo Chalk" | Janam | S P Venkatesh | Malayalam |
| 1994 | "Njanee Rathriye" | Daivathinte Vikrithikal | L Vaidyanathan | Malayalam |
| 1994 | "Nanthyar Vilakkum" | Daivathinte Vikrithikal | Mohan Sithara | Malayalam |
| 1994 | "Mafia" | Mafia | Anand–Milind | Malayalam |
| 1995 | "Jinka Ninja" | Kalamasseriyil Kalyaanayogam | Tomin Thankachari | Malayalam |
| 1996 | "Ladies college campusil" | Mazhayethum Munpe | R Anand | Malayalam |
| 1997 | "Daud" | Daud | A. R. Rahman | Hindi |
| 1999 | "Raja Ki Kahani" | Godmother | Vishal Bhardwaj | Hindi |
| 2000 | "Melam Lotto" | Rapid Action Force | sailesh | Malayalam |
| 2000 | "Manasilore" | Rapid Action Force | sailesh | Malayalam |
| 2001 | "Vande Mataram" | Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham | Jatin–Lalit, Sandesh Shandilya, Aadesh Shrivastav | Hindi |
| 2003 | "Kabhi Pa Liya Tho Kabhi Kho Diya" | Jogger's Park | Tabun | Hindi |
| 2003 | "Din Hai Na Ye Raat" | Bhoot | Salim–Sulaiman | Hindi |
| 2005 | "Rambhe Ninge" | Swamy | Gurukiran | Kannada |
| 2006 | "Vaave Makane" | Pothan Vava | Alex Paul | Malayalam |
| 2006 | "Meter Iddone" | Ambi | V. Nagendra Prasad | Kannada |
| 2006 | "Yarivanu" | Shubham | Gurikiran | Kannada |
| 2007 | "Wicket Bacha" (with Earl) | Hattrick | Pritam | Hindi |
| 2007 | "Teri Meri Merry Christmas" | Bow barracks Forever | Anjun Dutt | Hindi |
| 2007 | "Kshana Kshana" | Kshana Kshana | R. P. Patnaik | Kannada |
| 2008 | "Yavva Yavva Naa Hege" | Nee Tata Naa Birla | Gurukiran | Kannada |
| 2009 | "Gudsu Gudsu" | Kannadada Kiran Bedi | Hamsalekha | Kannada |
| 2011 | "Hai Ye Maya" | Don 2 | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Hindi |
| 2011 | "Viriyunnu" | Bombay March 12 | Afzal Yusuf | Malayalam |
| 2011 | "Darling", "Doosri Darling" (with Rekha Bhardwaj) | 7 Khoon Maaf | Vishal Bhardwaj | Hindi |
| 2012 | "Ramba main Samba" | Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi | Jeet Ganguly | Hindi |
| 2012 | "Aami Shotti Bolchi" | Kahaani | Vishal–Shekhar | Hindi |
| 2012 | "Yeh Raat Mona Lisa" | Kaafiron Ki Namaaz | Advait Nemlekar | Hindi |
| 2012 | "Jhoom Jhoom Zara" | Parie | Veer Samarth | Kannada |
| 2014 | "Race Gurram" | Race Gurram | S. Thaman | Telugu |
| 2014 | "Dumeel" | Damaal Dumeel | S. Thaman | Tamil |
| 2016 | "Hoi Kiw/Chalo Chalo" | Rock On 2 | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Hindi |
| 2016 | "Dirty Picture" | Thikka | S. Thaman | Telugu |
| 2019 | "Empuraane" | Lucifer | Deepak Dev | Malayalam |
| 2022 | "Phire Takao" | Kolkatar Harry | Jeet Ganguly | Bengali |
| 2022 | "Chumbok Mon" | Kacher Manush | Nilayan Chatterjee | |
| 2022 | ''Drishyam 2 Title Track" | Drishyam 2 | Devi Sri Prasad | Hindi |

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Language |
| 1973 | Bombay to Goa | | Hindi |
| 1975 | Melnaattu Marumagal | | Tamil |
| 2006 | Pothan Vava | Kurisuveettil Mariamma | Malayalam |
| 2007 | Bow Barracks Forever | Herself | English |
| 2007 | Hattrick | Herself | Hindi |
| 2010 | Manmadan Ambu | Indira | Tamil |
| 2011 | 7 Khoon Maaf | Maggie Aunty | Hindi |
| 2012 | Parie | | Kannada |
| 2012 | Ideal Couple | Sophy | Malayalam |
| 2012 | Keymon & Nani in Space Adventure | Nani (voice role) | Hindi |
| 2015 | X: Past Is Present | Mrs. Baker | Hindi |
| 2016 | Rock On 2 | Herself (cameo) | Hindi |
| 2019 | If Not for You | Herself | English |
| 2022 | Achcham Madam Naanam Payirppu | Charukesi | Tamil |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Language |
| 2004–2006 | Indian Idol | Guest | Hindi |
| 2007 | Star Singer | Judge | Malayalam |
| 2008 | Star Singer | Judge | Malayalam |
| 2011 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champion | Judge | Kannada |
| 2012 | Bharat Ki Shaan: Singing Star – Season 2 | Judge | Hindi |
| 2012 | Gaurav Maharashtracha | Judge | Marathi |
| 2012 | Kuyil patu | Judge | Tamil |
| 2016 | Phire Asar Gaan | Judge | Bengali |
| 2016 | Onnum Onnum Moonu | Guest | Malayalam |
| 2018 | Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala | Herself | Hindi |

## Awards and nominations
### Civilian awards

* Padma Shri - 2011 – Fourth Highest Civilian Award presented by Government of India
* Padma Bhushan - 2024 – Third Highest Civilian Award presented by Government of India

### Film awards

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Song | Film | Result |
| 2012 | Filmfare Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | "Darling" | 7 Khoon Maaf | Won |
| 2012 | IIFA Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | "Darling" | 7 Khoon Maaf | Nominated |
| 2012 | Screen Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | "Darling" | 7 Khoon Maaf | Nominated |
| 2012 | Mirchi Music Awards | Female Vocalist of The Year | "Darling" | 7 Khoon Maaf | Nominated |
| 2017 | Mirchi Music Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | N/A | N/A | Won |
| 2006 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Character actress | N/A | Pothan Vava | Nominated |
| 1999 | Kalakar Awards | Best Audio Album (Bangla) | "Darling" | N/A | Won |
| 2002 | Kalakar Awards | Best Audio Album (Bangla) | Chai Silpir Samman | N/A | Won |
| 2004 | Kalakar Awards | Best Playback Singer for the film | "Kabhi Pa Liya To Kabhi Kho Diya" | Joggers Park | Won |
| 2013 | Kalakar Awards | Best Playback Singer for the film | "Ramba Mein Samba" | Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi | Won |