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| usha and srikanth |
Usha came like a breath of fresh air on the Telugu film music scene. Chitram gave her a much-needed break. Later with the films like Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu and Santosham, Usha became a household name. After S Janaki, SP Shailaja she is the only Telugu singer recognized by the general public. Her songs "Nee tolisariga kalagannade nuvve kada", "Ela ela ela telupanu" had topped the chartbusters for a long time.
Accolades and awards followed suite but suddenly her voice is nowhere to heard of. Her sudden marriage to a USA based software professional and shifting of her base to USA now is the main reason why the Telugu films are missing of her voice. As she now is settled in USA very much, Telugucinema.com catches up with her to have an interview. Excerpts from the interview…
Sri: How is new life – both married life and life in USA?
Usha: It is great (laughs). That is all I can say in one word.
Sri: Your career was really going great and you had suddenly decided to get married and leave all the work. What is the reason behind this sudden marriage?
Usha: It is not so sudden (laughs). I have known Sreekanth (now her husband) for a long time. Both of our families have been friends. The marriage was impending and I tied the knots at the right stage and time. (giggles)
Sri: Can you recall how did your career happen?
Usha: My parents hail from Godavari districts with mother coming from Amalapuram and father from Tanuku but I was born in Nagarjunasagar. But I was raised in Hyderabad mostly and had finished my studies there too - B Com in St. Francis Degree College, Secunderabad and finished MCA. My mother is my first guru in singing. She used to sing and make me singing at home. The streak came from her. In childhood, I used to sing at various competitions but I didn’t take it seriously until TV channels started beaming music programmes.
I took participation in Gemini's Navaragam and ETV's Paduta Teeyyaga – a talent hunt programmes. It is Balu garu who encouraged me while doing the Paduta Teeyaga and gave me chance in his next programme Endaro Mahanubhavulu also.
Noticing my talent in the programme, music director Vandematram Srinivas called me to Chennai for a film Illalu. Even before that that K.S.Rama Rao asked me to sing for the film Hello I love you.
As the reputed production house Usha Kiran movies was planning a film, Chitram, with all the newcomers including technicians NB Sastry told Atluri Ramarao (Ushakiran movies’ head) about me. Ramarao garu called on me for testing the voice.
The film’s team director Teja, music director R P Patnaik and writer Kulashekar gave green signal to my first song that was recorded for the film – Oohala Pallaki Oorenginchana..
Chitram’s unexpected magnificent success and its music’s popularity the entire team became rage. That was how it all started.
Sri: I believe you are the only singer who bagged two Nandi awards in a very short period.
Usha: Yes, I won two Nandi awards. The first one for the film, Padma. The film was produced and directed by Hari of Pomex Films and Sasipreetam scored the music. The second one for RP’s scored Nee Sneham.
Sri: Many people have a misconception that you sing only for R.P.Patnaik?
Usha: As you said it is a mis-conception. I also even sang for maestro Ilayaraja and established and reputed music directors like Keeravani, Manisharma, Koti, SVK and also for young music directors like Devi Sri Prasad, Chakri, Ghantadi Krishna, Kamalakar, Sashipreetam and also for Anoop. So where did I sing for RP exclusively?
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| usha |
Sri: When your career is going strong, you came to USA to lead married life? So are you leaving your singing career?
Usha: Who said I am leaving the career? I will continue singing. Singing is my PASSION. But at the same time I like to enjoy my life also. I like to enjoy with my family like any other girl. Sreekanth, my husband, always encourages me pursuing my interests and singing. I will come to India from time to time and whenever I get good opportunities, I will certainly sing. Meanwhile here in USA I plan to participate in musical concerts and shows that will enable me to pursue my passion.
Sri: What else you are planning to do?
Usha: As you know, I have learnt classical music. I am planning to give music lessons to the interested ones who reside in the surrounds of Virginia. I am close to Washington DC. So if any one is interested in taking the music lessons they can contact me at singerusha@gmail.com with their phone number and I will definitely get in touch with them. I am planning to do a music album also soon.
