(Exclusive) Usha Uthup: I was told to look like a blonde cabaret singer, but I walked in wearing a sari
From the nightclubs of 1960s Mumbai to prestigious international stages,
Usha Uthup
has never needed glitter or gimmicks to command attention. With her powerful, genre-defying voice and signature Kanjivaram saris, she stood tall – and sang louder – than many around her.
In a conversation with Bombay Times, the veteran singer talks about identity, resilience, and how music continues to keep her soul alive. Read on…
You have broken barriers, with a voice that did not fit the conventional mould and a look that defied trends. What gave you the courage to be so unapologetically yourself at a time when conformity ruled?
Honestly, it all came down to my middle-class upbringing. Back then there was no Instagram, WhatsApp, fashion shows or stylists. I just wore what I had. And looking back, I think I was incredibly lucky, the timing was just right. When I began singing in nightclubs around 1969, the expectation was that a singer would wear glamorous gowns, have blond hair, and carry that typical Western image.
And then, I walked in, this gharelu girl in a saree.
This contrast worked in my favour. It wasn't planned or strategic. I didn't know anything about branding or presentation. I was just being myself. And honestly, thank God for the saree! It gave me a unique identity. Things moved slowly back then, not like today's instant fame. I wasn't part of the film industry or trying to be LataJi or Ashaji. I was simply a live performer, singing in nightclubs and concerts.
So, no, I do not have a hard-luck story. I've been fortunate. My voice may not have fit the mould, but my timing was right, and I truly believe the song is always bigger than the singer.
Your voice is bold, unconventional. Did you ever feel pressured to sound a certain way or to conform to industry expectations?
No, I never felt pressured to sound a certain way and I never gave in to any kind of pressure. Sure, pressure exists. There's peer pressure, family pressure, societal expectations, but at the end of the day, the decision is always yours. I truly believe that. Do not blame others for where you are. Yes, there are moments when you may feel pushed, but you still have the power to say yes or no. That's something that I've learned over the years and it's a message that I try to pass on, not just to my children, but to everyone, including you!
Do you sing differently when happy, heartbroken, nostalgic; how much of your emotions enter your performance?
Oh absolutely, my performances are all emotional.
Every show of mine is completely driven by what I am feeling. Sometimes I think that is a good thing, sometimes, maybe not, because while it's important to stay focused, I can't always control my emotions on stage. In a way that's what makes it real for me. So, every song, every performance of mine is driven by emotion and that's what makes it mine.
You are Mumbai-born, what does this city mean to you?
Mumbai means everything to me. It has the best work culture I've ever seen, so active, so driven.
Rain, potholes, bad roads, nothing stops people here. If there is a 7 am shift they show up. That 'never give up' spirit truly defines Mumbai. But it's not just about resilience it's also about action. People here, don't sit around waiting for the government or God to fix things. They take it on themselves. That's what I admire the most.
And of course, Mumbai is where I was born, it's in my blood. As I often say, Mumbai is my birthplace, and Kolata is my grave.
But every time I land on the tarmac in Mumbai, I feel it all, the energy, the focus, the drive and I absolutely love it.
How integral is music in your life and how do you keep your passion alive after all these years on stage?
More than something I am, music is something I need! It's not just about listening to it, it's about living it. I truly can't imagine my life without the stage. That's where I come alive. Music is in my blood, and performing is like breathing, essential and natural. All I ever ask for is the strength and energy to keep doing what I love.
I also ask my audience, my people to pray for that same spark that I can continue, with even more passion that I have now.
Music truly flows, and I believe, just like life, it is cyclic. What once was always finds a way back. That's why retro never really goes out of style. Even when I perform new songs, the audience inevitably asks for the old favourites. From cabaret to Carnatic, jazz to Janapad (folk), I've been blessed to explore it all. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
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