CHENNAI: The name Usha Uthup brings to mind Indian pop music in all its colourful verve, buoyancy, jhatkas and matkas.
The ‘Pop Queen’ has over the years firmly maintained her signature style — the big bindi, dozens of glass bangles on both hands, a fragrant gajra and the luscious Kanjeevaram that adds a dash of grace to her warm, energetic demeanor.
‘Didi’, as she is affectionately called, however clarifies that her much popular style statement has never been used as a marketing strategy.
“I have always felt happy to be known as appa and amma’s daughter. The pottus (bindis) are specially designed by me. The poo (flower) is something that I wear on auspicious days. I wear four dozens of bangles on each hand and I take pride in saying that I have a collection of 10,000 bangles with me. My Kanjeevarams are picked from Nalli and Sundari Silks. The tussar silk I wear is from Nandita Raja’s boutique — Kanishka. In Madras, I am popularly known as Luz Maami,” she bursts out laughing, after this breathless string of revelations.
This ‘Luz Maami’ always looks at the city fondly and says it leaves her with memories all the time.
“Whenever I get the opportunity, I land in Chennai. I love to call it Madras, as it gives me a sense of nostalgia. After all, I started my career right here, at Nine Gems, a small nightclub on Mount Road. This was way back in 1969. The nightclub is not there anymore, but I don’t miss it any less.”
While in the city for the shoot of Sangeetha Mahayuddham Season 2 on Sun TV, Usha Uthup is managing a hectic schedule.
“I recently completed the shoot of Saat Khoon Maaf by Vishal Bharadwaj, in which I play a maid. And I will also be seen in Manmadhan Ambu as Maddy’s mother. I have known Kamal Haasan for nearly 42 years and what a brilliant actor he is! My first film was in Tamil in 1975. It was called Melnattu Marumagal with Kamal and Jayasudha sharing the screen with me. In Hindi, I am waiting for an opportunity to work with Gulzaar,” says the chirpy singer.
Usha has her hands full for the moment with Ekta Express, a multi-lingual music album based on all the Indian languages, which she says is a special project. The singer has also been working in aid of tsumani victims.
Regarding her reality show stint, she says, “Gajendra Singh, who started it all, is a good friend of mine. It is all going well. I was already occupied with a reality show on ETV Bangla, called Dada Na Didi. I hate judging, but what matters is that I garner fresh talent.”
On the pop culture in Indian music industry, she says, “It is all in the hands of the performer. For instance, when I go up on stage and sing a racy, pop number in my style, it is readily accepted.”