Chai, Conversation, and Reminiscence, with the legend Usha Uthup

Nestled in her corner office at Studio Vibrations on a spring-summer day was a poised lady, trying to figure out how to attach a full resolution version of a song to an email.
She turned to us and said, “I’m better off with WhatsApp forwards, you know?!”
Choosing WhatsApp over emails has moved past the millennial circuit, and is gradually entering the legend circle.
Today, we're here to talk and celebrate the legacy of Usha Uthup. So, what you're about to read is an excerpt from the tête-à-tête we had with the voice that gave you ‘Darling’ from 7 Khoon Maaf, Ammi Shotti Bolchi from Kahaani, the epic rendition of Vande Mataram from K3G and several other songs. Listen in to the legend herself:

We shot the video in Usha Uthup's studio in Kolkata and were surrounded by her legacy framed in every corner. One could hardly ignore the line of laurels that rested on those walls.
Meanwhile, our conversation with Usha ji had moved on to the popular topic of tea. Because when you're in Calcutta, you cannot, not talk about chaa. The popular bong culture insists that you dip your (projapoti) biscuit in the tea and eat it.
While we enjoyed the little Kolkata things with Usha ji, we went from talking about Radio Ceylon, nightclubs in Chennai and to what recordings scenario is like in the modern day studios.
Music production has travelled through the tide of time. Recordings have gone from tapes to online streaming to digital audio workstation. Usha Uthup has not just lived through the change but has also adapted with time. She doesn't shy away from praising talents like Sanam Puri and Jonita Gandhi and urges film-makers to write her a character that she can play 'not being herself'.
When she spoke about it, there was hardly an inch of criticism in the conversation. It was mostly reminiscent of ‘good times’ and encouraging words for the 'Young Turks'.
Usha Di believes that “a song or a musical rendition is bigger than the artist. The emotion it evokes is much more powerful than the person who sang or composed it.” Some may not believe it, but when you hear her sing Imagine by Eric Clapton, you will know what she means.
They say if you’ve partied in the 80’s or 90’s in India, it’s impossible to not have shaken a leg to one of Usha Uthup’s songs. We didn’t completely believe that until we saw Usha Didi (as she’s popularly referred to) jam with the amazing Manasi Scott, at the Femina Miss India 2018, Kolkata edition.
Believe us, it’s a whole different ball game when you’re hearing her live. The crowd does half the singing. The stage is vibrating. The hall and its energy are ecstatic and you understand how legends are made — they are made with the love that the audiences offer.
The ‘Celebrating Usha Uthup’ video, encompasses all this and so much more. Do name your favourite Usha Di song in the comments below.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored brand story by Usha Uthup and the liability for the same rests with them.