At the request of Global TV, and with the warmth of a friendship built with Kalam Dada, Didi Usha Uthup took Kalam’s words and gave them wings.
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
World often celebrates uniformity and insist everyone to follow suit. Didi Usha Uthup has always stood tall as a lighthouse of individuality, abundance, and unshakable optimism. With her signature Kanjeevaram sarees, jasmine flowers, and bindi, she’s a motivational force who has inspired generations across cultures and continents. She is lovingly called “Didi”; not just for her age, but for the affection, guidance, and strength she embodies. Truly, Didi Usha Uthup is The Motivational Singer of India.
A Voice Like No Other
Born in 1947, the year India gained independence, Usha’s journey has been equally symbolic of freedom in every sense. Didi is a symbol of freedom of voice, unbiased expression, and indomitable spirit. Her deep, powerful voice defied conventional norms of what a female playback singer “should” sound like in India. When others soared in high-pitched melodies, Usha’s powerful contralto grounded listeners with soul, depth, and authenticity.
But what sets her apart is the emotion she pours into every song, and the courage with which she embraced her uniqueness. Usha’s singing transcends boundaries, languages, and genres. From Bollywood to jazz, pop, Indian classical, and even tribal music; she’s done it all. And she did it her way.
Usha Uthup’s story is of talent along with perseverance. Rejected by All India Radio in her early years because her voice was considered “non-conventional,” she never let that judgment define her worth. Instead, she went on to sing in over 17 Indian languages and 8 foreign languages, proving that music is about connection, not conformity.
Her first big break came at Trincas nightclub in Kolkata, where her captivating performance quickly became the talk of the town. Her rendition of western classics mixed with Indian sensibilities broke barriers and won hearts. She soon became a global ambassador of Indian culture, performing across the world; from the Royal Albert Hall in London to the Lincoln Center in New York.
Motivating by Being Real
What makes Usha Uthup motivational is her groundedness. Despite decades in the limelight, she remains refreshingly humble, approachable, and true to her roots. Her life is a powerful lesson in self-love, authenticity, and embracing one’s differences. In a world obsessed with filters and perfection, Usha reminds us that being yourself wholly and unapologetically is the greatest strength one can have.
Her attire is symbolic of this ethos. While she sang Western numbers, she never shed her Indian identity; always wearing a saree, bangles, and flowers in her hair. It was not just fashion; it was a statement. “You can be modern without losing your roots,” she often says and she lives that philosophy.
Music with a Message
Beyond the catchy tunes and vibrant rhythms, Usha Uthup’s music carries messages of hope, unity, and joy. Songs like Hari Om Hari, One Two Cha Cha Cha, and her rendition of Skyfall may entertain, but deeper within, they celebrate diversity, courage, and love. She’s been a UNICEF ambassador, a social activist, and a mentor to young talent. In every role, she’s used her voice, literally and metaphorically, to uplift others, especially the underrepresented.
An Inspiration Across Generations
Whether you are a teenager discovering her music or an old fan who danced to her beats in the 70s, Usha’s appeal is timeless. She connects with people not just as a singer but as a soulful presence; someone who’s lived a full life and still looks at the world with wonder and compassion.
Young artists admire her for her versatility and longevity. Women see her as a symbol of strength and dignity. And to music lovers across the globe, she remains a pioneer who made it okay to be different and dazzling.
A National Treasure
In 2024, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Bhushan, one of the country’s highest civilian awards, recognizing her unparalleled contribution to music and culture. But for millions, no award can fully capture what she means.
She is India’s first pop diva, its most unconventional playback singer, a polyglot performer, and a cultural bridge. But more than anything, Usha Uthup is India’s heart in song; vibrant, inclusive, fearless, and full of joy.
Usha Uthup is a movement that encourages every person to be proud of who they are, to rise above rejection, and to let their voice be heard. In every beat of her music and every word of her story, she tells us: “Be bold. Be kind. Be you.”
A Song for Peace, A Moment in Time
- When Didi Usha Uthup Sang the Heart of a President
On the 25th of July, 2007, as the curtains gently drew on the presidency of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a nation held its breath; not in farewell, but in deep reflection. That day was unlike any other. It wasn’t marked by fanfare or political spectacle. Instead, it was defined by a song; a prayer, a plea, and a promise, echoing from the hallowed halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
It was Dr. Kalam’s last day in office, and in an unforgettable gesture, he chose to leave behind something that would endure far beyond his term: a prayer for peace. The words were his own. The emotions, all India’s. And the voice? That unmistakable, grounding, powerful voice of Didi Usha Uthup.
At the request of Global TV, and with the warmth of a friendship built with Kalam Dada, Didi Usha Uthup took Kalam’s words and gave them wings.
The musical wings given by her could fly straight into the hearts of the people who heard it. It continues to inspire the Indian people online and offline across various media platforms. This sone wasn’t just a performance; it was a sacred collaboration. Every frame of the video was personally selected by Dr. Kalam from the archives of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The moments that captured the soul of the people, and the spirit of the nation was the vision of a humble scientist and the honourable President of India.
As Didi sang, wrapped in her trademark Kanjeevaram, with devotion pouring from every note, India listened. The images rolled: schoolchildren, the Indian flag, fields blooming with possibility, dreams soaring into the sky, and soldiers standing tall in silent commitment. It was a mirror to Kalam’s dream; a “Developed India,” bound by peace, unity, and righteousness.
He didn’t leave with speeches. He left with a prayer.
He didn’t carry accolades. He left us with hope.
And on that day, music became the language of statesmanship. Through Didi Usha Uthup’s deep, emotive voice, Kalam’s heart spoke to the country and the world. The voice continue to evoke us and to go ahead beyond all provocations.
