At the age of 20, Uthup, wearing a sari and leg calipers, started singing at a small nightclub called Nine Gems, located in the basement of the contemporary Sapphire Theatre complex on Mount Road in Chennai.
Whenever pop singing is mentioned in Hindi cinema, one more name will definitely be remembered and that is Usha Uthup. Usha Uthup's strong voice became her identity. She gave such songs to Hindi cinema, which even today compel people to dance. Not only this, apart from her voice, the singer is also in the news for her look. Kanjeevaram saree, big round bindi and flower gajra in hair have become her identity. So on the occasion of her birthday, let us know interesting stories related to the singer's life.
This is how she got her first break
Usha was born on 7 November 1947 in a Tamil Brahmin family in Madras, Tamil Nadu. At the age of 20, Uthup started singing in a small nightclub called Nine Gems located in the basement of the contemporary Sapphire Theater Complex on Mount Road in Chennai, wearing a saree and leg calipers. Usha Uthup entered Bollywood because of Dev Anand, she sang an English song with Shankar-Jaikishan in Bombay Talkies. After this, she got a chance to sing in many films, apart from Hindi, she has also sung in Malayalam and Telugu films. In the 70s and 80s, Usha sang many songs with RD Burman and Bappi Lahiri. She has also been a judge of the reality show 'Bharat Ki Shaan: Singing Star Season 2'.
Worked with these composers
Usha worked with these popular composers in her six decade career. The singer worked with RD Burman for "Ek Do Cha Cha Cha" for the film 'Shalimar' in the year 1978. Apart from this, Usha has also worked with the composer in "Shaan Se...", "Dosto Se Pyar Kiya". These songs were quite hit. Apart from this, the name of Bappi Lahiri is also included in this list. Together with Bappi Lahiri, Usha has sung popular songs like "Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyara Hai", "Hari Om Hari", "Ramba Ho", "Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache". Not only this, the singer has also worked with AR Rahman. Together with AR Rahman, she has lent her voice to the song "Daud".
Usha Uthup gave her brilliant voice in many films like Dum Maaro Dum, Disco Dancer, Hare Krishna Hare Ram, Shalimar and Pyara Dushman in her career. With her hard work she became India's pop singer.
Even today people are forced to dance after listening to these songs
"Ek Do Cha Cha Cha"
Usha composed this song with RD Burman for the 1978 film 'Shalimar'. This song also became very popular.
"Shaan Se..."
For the 1980 film 'Shaan', Usha lent her voice to the song Shaan along with RD Burman. Apart from this, she also sang the song "Dosto Se Pyar Kiya" in this film.
"Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyara Hai"
For the 1981 film 'Vardaat', Usha collaborated with Bappi Lahiri and created the popular song "Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyara Hai".
"Hari Om Hari"
Usha lent her voice for the film Pyara Dushman. For this film released in 1980, Usha sung the song "Hari Om Hari" along with Bappi Lahiri.
"Ramba Ho"
The singer had also sung a superhit song with Bappi Lahiri in 1981, named "Ramba Ho". This song is still liked by her fans. This song is from the film 'Armaan'.
"Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache"
The song of Usha Uthup which is still viral is "Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache". This song is still on the lips of people. This song was also sung by the singer along with Bappi Lahiri. This song is from the film Disco Dancer, which was released in 1982.
"Daur"
In the year 1998, Usha Uthup worked with AR Rahman and lent her voice for the film 'Daur', this song of hers was also liked a lot.
"Raja Ki Kahani"
In 1999, the singer collaborated with Vishal Bhardwaj and released a superhit song "Raja Ki Kahani" from the film Godmother.
"Vande Mataram"
Usha has also lent her voice to the 2001 blockbuster film Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, she sang the song "Vande Mataram" from the film. For this song, she worked with Jatin-Lalit, Sandesh Shandilya, Aadesh Shrivastava.
"Din Hai Na Ye Raat"
The singer has also worked with Salim Suleiman, she sang the song "Din Hai Na Ye Raat" for the 2003 film Bhoot.