Usha Uthup…

What can I say about this person? One of the greatest entertainers the country has ever produced. Her live shows are a treat! She will keep u smiling, swaying, clapping, tapping ur feet… enthralled. She lives for music and has no linguistic or cultural barriers. For more details please visit www.ushauthup.com/ Her backing band is excellent. At that time it was headed by Emil Issac (brother of Eloy Issac), bass guitarist.

Usha Uthup… the show

This one was done under the aegis of Woodsmen Nature and Adventure Club as a fundraising project in 1993. Again, the venue was Gujarathi School Auditorium. This time, there ere chairs on the floor and balcony was left bare as standing space. The Sound and lights were by Udaya, Cochin. A great show. She sang a host of popular numbers including We are the World, Didi, Kali Teri Rut, Damadum Mast Kalandar, Jaane Who Kaise, Dum Maro Dum, Shaan Se etc. Her Sarees and jasmine were a point of discussion. A great show, a successful one. A great person to deal with, so easily accessible, friendly and pleasant, despite her fame and stature. The Club made good money. Sent some to WWF, Trivandrum to spend in and around Calicut for conservation projects, but sadly, 10 years later, WWF is still to do anything with the money!

BPL was the main sponsor of the show. Cherry’s Tours & Travels, Santoor Soap & Talcum Powder, Hotel Maharani  and many others contributed.
Later, in 1995, when I was in B’lore I was contacted by Omer Haider, proprietor of Showhouse, a famous event management company in Calcutta. He had a client, Shaw Wallace, who wanted to promote Moghul Monarch in Kerala. They had contracted Usha Uthup to do 5 shows, Reynolds would do the sounds. I was sub-contracted to do the shows in Calicut and Cochin. Ended up guarding the gates and compering the show in Cochin! Both shows went great. Didn’t get any pictures as the undeveloped rolls of both shows were taken Calcutta.

A great person to work with. A great singer. We did get to meet her again a couple of times later when she came down for shows this side. And she remembers us!