How Usha Uthup rocked the stage in a sari

 A singer who in 1969 told a nightclub she was not going to wear a dress not because she was rebellious or trying to bring a change but because of her “fairly traditional” background went on to rock the stage in a sari.

Usha Uthup on Saturday was in a freewheeling chat on her life and journey to stardom at Usha Unplugged, an online session organised by Loreto House Alumnae Association.

“I did whatever I did, wearing a sari, bindi, flowers in my hair or bangles... I didn’t do any of that just to prove a point or to be different or be rebelliou... I just did it because of my middle class upbringing and my fairly traditional and orthodox family background,” Uthup said.

“There were plenty of ups and plenty of downs in my life. Sometimes the downs were more than the ups. One of my biggest plus points or the USP has been the fact that I maintained my Indianness.”

ctor Moonmoon Sen, Loreto alumna, was the guest speaker and the session was moderated by another alumna, Oindrilla Dutt.

Dutt spoke of how Uthup set the trend and paved the way for so many other women in entertainment. “How difficult was it to balance family life?” asked Dutt.

“There were problems. As I have always said, it is nothing earth shattering. It is like any other working mother, like a teacher, or a nurse or an architect or a corporate person. I think every woman goes through the same problem of trying to balance the kitchen, the children, the husband... and yet turn up in the evening and smile for everybody,” said Uthup.

Uthup spoke about the city’s welcoming “para culture” and of Park Street. “That strip is magical for me. It is like hallowed ground, especially that corner which houses Trincas. Park Street is always alive for me,” she said.