Nostalgia is a powerful emotion, often sparked by something small — a trinket, a scent, a dish, book, or even a voice. One such voice is that of Indian pop icon Usha Uthup, whose deep, familiar tone resonates across generations.

“You must stay relevant, or you get left behind,” Usha says, as she prepares to perform for a new generation at 77. “The way I make myself relevant is by reinventing my music. People still want retro and still want to listen to old songs, so I have to reach young people’s hearts,” she says on a video call from Bengaluru. Usha will perform at the NH7 Weekender in Pune on December 14 and 15, alongside artists like Amit Trivedi, Raftaar, and King.

With over 50 years of experience, Usha has garnered widespread acclaim. From starting as a nightclub singer in Chennai’s Nine Gems, to receiving the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, her journey has been remarkable. “To me, every award is important, but the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan mean the world to me because it means that your Government and your people appreciate the work you’re doing,” she shares. Reflecting on the moment, she adds with a laugh, “I was nervous, but it was so exciting to be recognised because I am after all only a nightclub singer in a sari.”

Her signature style — a sari, flowers in her hair, bangles, and her iconic bindi — has remained unchanged. “It’s an extension of my personality, I would say. I believe that fashion is comfort and constant,” Usha says, emphasising the importance of being comfortable in one’s own skin. “I have never tried to be something else. I come from a middle-class South Indian traditional family, and everyone from my mother to grandmother wore saris, so I wore a sari. It was only natural,” she adds, slipping another bangle onto her wrist.

Usha Uthup | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Over the years, Usha has delivered unforgettable performances, including her version of Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ and a heartfelt tribute to legendary singer S Janaki at the 2016 South Indian International Movie Awards. One of the highlights of her career, she recalls, was singing with South African singer-songwriter Miriam Makeba over 25 years ago when she toured there. . “When I went to South Africa and met with Nelson Mandela, he asked me if there was anything he could do for me, and I told him I wanted to meet Miriam Makeba, and she was at my show the next day,” she recounts.

As a performer who has explored various genres and languages, Usha has a talent for reading her audience. “I’m a people’s person, and it matters to me what they want. I pick my genre or language according to what I see in my audience, or what I can perceive in them,” she says, noting that her extensive song collection is her strength. Looking ahead to her NH7 Weekender performance, she shares, “I’m looking forward to NH7, and it’s going to be a mixed bag. Because we will be in Pune, I will be definitely performing something in Marathi.”

The NH7 Weekender will be held at Teerth Fields in Pune on December 14 and 15. Tickets are available on insider.in starting ₹2,999.