Usha Uthup: 42 forever and ever!

She wears big-bordered silk saris, sports huge bindis and sings in a tone that dwarfs anyone else’s. Usha Uthup has always been an adventurous singer, finding her voice in an orchestra of minor keys. She spoke to Archita Wagle just before a performance in Mumbai

You have this fabulous image as a ‘modern’ singer in full-on traditional clothes with matching tennis shoes. You never wanted to change it?
No, never. In any case, I never started this! It was not a marketing strategy or a gimmick. I belong to a middle class family and, 37 years ago when I started singing, everybody wore saris or salwar kameez. I have not thought of changing. And anyway, people love me like this.

You said that your voice is not what the Hindi film industry wants for its heroines. Does that hold true today? 
I said that a long time ago. Today everyone is singing like me. When I started singing, the critics said that I was not suited to sing for Hindi film heroines because I sang in English. But today there is no Hindi film song which doesn’t have English lyrics. I always believed that a song is a song is a song.

Are you singing for Hindi films, now that the concept of the heroine has changed so much? 
I have sung a few songs for movies like Mudraank, Hat-trick and a few others. I have sung a few songs for Bappi Lahiri. But now my mainstay is stage performance. I sing whenever I am given a chance. Basically, I am a happy person, comfortable in my own skin.

You still have that youthful joy in whatever you sing. Where does the energy and inspiration come from?
You! I get my energy from my audience. But I feel that it’s music that makes me feel this way. Music doesn’t age, it is youthful. As for the external trappings like graying hair and wrinkles — who cares! I feel that I can be 42 forever. I have sung songs in 14 Indian languages and eight foreign languages. In fact, I have just come back from Cannes, where I did a show at the International Advertising Awards. I am the only female Indian singer who has sung on the beaches of Cannes.

You are now acting, playing a mother to a senior actor in a Malayalam film. Have you found a new career?
I am acting in a Malayalam film with Mamooty; I play his mother. The film will be screened at the Osian-Cinefan Festival in Delhi. I would definitely love to act more and I hope that I get more offers.

You sing at a Mumbai night-spot often — have tastes changed?
The only things that haven’t changed are the chandelier and me! But the people and the heart are the same. Every time I perform there, people ask only for repeats.

What next in your work?
I am working on the project for women empowerment for the Ministry — I have recorded a song in 14 languages. The project is almost ready and will be released soon.

Who could be a voice for the future?
There are so many good singers, like Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal and Mahalaxmi Iyer. I also like Kailash Kher and Karthik, a South Indian singer.