Usha Uthup On Chennai, Margazhi And A Career That Broke Musical Barriers

Singer Usha Uthup, who was recently in the city, reflects on a life and career deeply intertwined with Chennai,a city she credits with shaping her music, discipline and worldview. In an exclusive conversation, the veteran artiste speaks about her enduring bond with the Margazhi season, her journey as one of India’s earliest crossover pop voices, and the evolving music landscape shaped by social media.

Recalling her early years, Uthup says Chennai was where it all began. “Madras is where I started, and the city shaped my music and my life. Its audiences are extremely discerning and truly understand music, and for that I am deeply grateful,” she says. Pushing back against the perception of conservatism often associated with the city, she adds, “People think Madras is conservative, but it accepted me with open arms. Thank God for the Kanjivaram sari and the malli poo,I owe Madras everything.” She also points to the city’s unparalleled film music culture, shaped by legendary composers and musicians such as Ilaiyaraaja and A.R. Rahman.

Uthup describes the Margazhi season as one of the greatest music festivals anywhere in the world. Performing in Chennai, she admits, still makes her nervous,but in a way that drives her to constantly raise the bar. “That nervousness pushes me to be better than my last performance. I work very hard at improving myself and always want to give my best to a knowledgeable Madras audience,” she says, adding that stepping on stage in Chennai never loses its magic.

Looking back on a career spanning over five decades, Uthup reflects on breaking conventions simply by being herself. “From the time I started singing, I think I broke several barriers and ceilings,” she says. Beginning her journey in 1969, she entered an industry where women faced rigid stereotypes. “But I was never in that race. What people called my weaknesses often became my strengths. It’s not about how good or bad a singer you are,it’s about how original you are. I’ve always been completely original and comfortable in my own skin.”

Across the years, she has sung pop, jazz, film music, regional, international and devotional songs, helping audiences experience music beyond familiar boundaries. Yet, she insists there was no strategy behind her crossover appeal. “I had no influences except the radio and my family. There was no planning or positioning,I sang because I loved singing and wanted to make people happy. If my music connected people across cultures, that was a bonus.”

Through every high and low, music has remained her constant. “I never once thought of giving up singing or stepping away from the stage,” Uthup says. “Even during the most trying times, music made life better for me. It kept me afloat, kept me performing and gave me so much in return.”