Struggle-free success

Minutes before she goes on stage for a concert, Usha Uthup, Indipop's original diva, takes a breather to talk about her remarkable 42 year-long musical journeyu00a0-- from Hare Rama Hare Krishna to the current rage, Darling... ankhon seu00a0-- and the thrill of playing a maid in 7 Khoon Maaf

From singing the title song of Hare Rama Hare Krishna for Zeenat Aman to Darling for Priyanka Chopra.. it's been a long journey.

It's been a wonderful journey that started in 1968. I would make sensational copy if I told you a hard-luck story, but I have no struggle to talk about. It has not always been easy, but I have been a compulsive optimist and have never harped on the downside.

I started off as a nightclub singer, and had no godfather in the Hindi film industry. I was singing at the Oberoi Intercontinental in Delhi, and the Navketan gangu00a0-- Dev saab and RD Burmanu00a0-- was there. That was the first time I met them professionally. They asked me if I'd want to sing for Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

Do you wish your Bollywood career had been more fruitful?
Although I don't have big Bollywood numbers to give you, it's been great. I perform at a show almost every day. I was in Mysore recently, and have just returned from a show in Mumbai. I could have turned out to be a really frustrated, old, horrible woman, but God has been kind to me.

And now we can hear you once again in Darling. Did you imagine that your voice would suit Priyanka Chopra?
She has a lovely bass voice. I wish I could've done more songs for her. It may happen now.

Have you heard the song's Russian version, Kalinka?
Yes, of course! I gave Vishalji the reference. I knew there was a Russian connect in the movie and I just sang a couple of Russian songs I knew. I am good with languages. I sing in 17 Indian languages and eight foreign languages; Russian is one of them.u00a0 Vishalji chose a song and composed a beautiful tune on it. And what fantastic lyrics the song has. There is a lovely line: Darling, sorry tujhe Sunday ke din zehmat hui, Darling, milna tera fazle khuda rehmat hui. It's just so romantic and beautiful.

And he got you to act in the film too.
When I was contacted, I thought they would ask me to sing, which was exciting enough. I was doubly excited when I was asked to act.

You are playing a deglamorised maid, and we don't get to see you in your ubiquitous Kancheepuram saree, gajra and big bindi.
You won't recognise me in the promo. I love acting. It's a great extension of my music. The first time I acted was with Amitabh Bachchan in 1972 for Bombay To Goa. Subsequently, I have done bit roles. But then I did something for a Malayalam film, in which I played Mammoothy's mother.

Will Darling be part of your concert repertoire?
Recently, audiences have requested the song. I have been ringing up Vishalji to ask him whether I can start performing it. Last week, he gave the go ahead.

Do you think age affects the human voice?
Touchwood! I think my voice is better now. I feel this way because I am a live performer.

Bollywood News Service