Usha Uthup hails from the culturally and traditionally rich states of Madras and Kerala. But she was raised in the lively metropolis of Mumbai. Usha Uthup did not however receive any formal training in music. It was her sole passion towards music that led her to persue a career in this genre. She started her career in 1969 with this kind of perseverance and conviction. This move, later went on to prove vital in removing the stigma attached to singing in nightclubs in India. Her voice was regarded as `gifted, velvet and smooth`. She has also bagged the honour of recording six albums in English under the banner of big musical companies like HMV/EMI. She also has the capability to sing songs in thirteen Indian and eight foreign languages. Indian Languages include- Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Assamese, Oriya, Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. Foreign languages constitute French, German, Italian, Sinhalese, Swahili, Russian, Nepalese, Arabic, Creole, Zulu, Spanish as well as English. Quite an achievement indeed.

Usha Uthup is considered a legend with whose hands the East and the West can be smoothly bridged. With her music, she has surpassed the obstacles of creed, caste, nationality and language. Presently she resides in Kolkata. The police commissioner of Mumbai, Sami Iyer is her father. She was born on 8th November 1947. She has three sisters namely, Uma Pocha, Indira Srinivasan and Maya Sami. All of them are established singers. Presently Usha is married to Jani Uthup. She frequently visits Vernon Corea`s BBC office at the Langham in London. She was also interviewed on "London Sounds Eastern" on BBC Radio, London.

In the year 1968, on an EP- Scotch and Soda, Usha Uthup recorded covers of two pop songs in English for `Jambalaya` and the `Kingston Trio`s Greenback Dollar`. The songs captured the Indian market very well. Apart from solo singing, she has lend her voice for Hindi films alike. She rose to fame by singing Bollywood numbers during 1970s and 1980s. Most of her major hits were under the music direction of R D Burman and Bappi Lahiri. Some of the R.D. Burman songs recapitulated by her, which were also sung by other singers are- `Mehbooba Mehbooba` and `Dum Maro Dum`. And these songs touched the heights of popularity amongst every generation.

Some of the illustrious songs sung by her are, `Kabhi Pa Liya Tho Kabhi Kho Diya` from the movie `Jogger`s Park` in the year 2003; `Din Hai Na Ye Raat` from the movie `Bhoot` in the year 2003; `Vande Mataram` from the movie `Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham` in the year 2001; `Raja Ki Kahani` from the film `Godmother` in the year 1999; `Daud` from the film `Daud` in the year 1998; `Vegam Vegam Pogum Pogum` from the movie `Anjali` in the year 1991; `Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache` from the film `Disco Dancer` in the year 1983; `Ramba Ho` from the movie `Arman` in the year 1981; `Hari Om Hari` from the movie `Pyaara Dushman` in the year 1980; `Doston Se Pyar Kiya` from the movie `Shaan` in the year 1980; `Shaan Se...` from the movie `Shaan` in the year 1980; `Ek Do Cha Cha Cha` from the film `Shalimar` in the year 1978. Usha Uthup has also worked with famous music directors apart from R D Burman and Bappi Lahiri, like, Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman, Vishal Bharadwaj, Jatin-Lalit, Salim-Suleiman, Tabun etc.

Usha Uthup also attempted to release a Hindi version of Michael Jackson`s Don`t Stop Til You Get Enough, titled `"Chhupke Kaon Aya". The song is from the album Tom Middleton - The Trip, which was released in the year 2004. A cover of Gloria Gaynor`s "I Will Survive" is another Tom Middleton album, Cosmosonica - Tom Middleton Presents Crazy Covers Vol. 1 (2005). With the Indian Rock Band Parikrama, Usha Uthup has recorded a song called "Rhythm and Blues". Apart from her singing career, she has also tested her talent in the field of acting. In 2006, she acted in "Pothen Vava" a Malayalam movie with Mammootty in the lead. She played the role of Mammootty`s mother.

Acknowledging her talent she was nominated for awards and won couple of them. Some of them are, Filmfare Nomination as Best Female Playback Singer for the song "One Two Cha ChaCha" from `Shalimar` (film) in the year 1978; Filmfare Nomination as Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Hari Om Hari" from `Pyare Dushman` in the year 1980; Filmfare Nomination as Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Rambha Ho" from `Armaan` (1981 film) in the year 1981.

Usha Uthup with her sharp, challenging dress sense has made a fashion trademark in the societal terms, which has received well appreciation throughout. A massive bindi and gajra (garland), she wears on her head, as well as those Kancheepuram saris, can now safely be branded with a pinch of salt!