Quick Info
| Profession | Singer |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 08/11/1947 |
| Age | 79 years |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharastra, India |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Latest News about Usha Uthup
Usha Uthup performed at the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) 2026 in Srinagar. She also received awards during the festival's closing celebrations.
Usha Uthup responded to online claims that her performance of a Bengali song inspired by the Arabic tune 'Didi' carried political undertones. She stated that she has performed the song for over two decades purely as a musical rendition. She also said the posts circulating about her were inaccurate and that she did not endorse them.
On Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, Usha Uthup called for peace, cleanliness and security in Kolkata. Her remarks came ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. She urged a democratic response from voters.
Usha Uthup gave a live concert at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad as part of an Air India Express cultural showcase. The performance took place on the airport tarmac alongside the unveiling of the airline's first factory line-fit Boeing 737-8. Artistes from several Indian states joined her on stage.
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Bio/Wiki
| Nickname | Didi |
|---|---|
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hobbies | Travelling |
| Known For | Deep contralto voice, versatility across genres and languages |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 4" (163 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 80 Kg (176 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| School | St. Agnes High School, Mumbai |
|---|
Personal Life
| Usha Uthup is presently a resident of Kolkata, West Bengal. | |
| She has stated that she has lived in Kolkata since 1976. |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Widowed |
|---|---|
| Husband |
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| Children |
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Family
| Father | Vaidyanath Someshwar Sami (DC in Police) |
|---|---|
| Siblings | Indira and Uma (Both elder) |
Career
| Debut | Singing Debut: Chattakkari (1974) |
|---|---|
| Career Start | 1969 at Nine Gems nightclub, Chennai |
| Bollywood Debut | Ivory Merchants' Bombay Talkies |
| Notable Songs | Ramba Ho, Shaan Se, Uri Uri Baba, Doston Se Pyaar Kiya |
| Recent Performances | Live performance at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad; performance at the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir 2026 |
Favourites
| Food | Bhel puri, pani puri, rasam, sambhar, kali dal |
|---|---|
| Actor | Shah Rukh Khan |
| Actress | Deepika Padukone |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Usha Uthup does not smoke or drink alcohol. | |
| 2. While in school, she was expelled from music class because of her voice. | |
| 3. Her singing career began in 1969 at the Chennai nightclub Nine Gems. | |
| 4. One of her popular songs is Shaan Se from the 1980s film Shaan. | |
| 5. Usha has sung in various languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, and many more, as well as in French, German, Italian, and other languages. | |
| 6. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2011. | |
| 7. In 2024, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award. | |
| 8. The Padma Bhushan for Art was presented to Usha Uthup by President Droupadi Murmu. | |
| 9. She is known for her deep contralto voice. | |
| 10. She has received a Filmfare Award. | |
| 11. Her first public singing occurred when she was nine years old. | |
| 12. She was formerly known as Sami. | |
| 13. She is a prominent figure in Indian music since the 1970s. | |
| 14. She has been a frequent visitor to BBC offices in London and was interviewed on London Sounds Eastern on BBC Radio London. | |
| 15. She has collaborated with music legends such as Ilayaraaja, A.R. Rahman, R. D. Burman, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, and Bappi Lahiri. | |
| 16. She has performed stage shows for Prime Ministers and Presidents. | |
| 17. Her biography, The Queen of Indian Pop, was launched at the Sharjah International Book Fair. |
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