Usha Uthup’s out-of-the-box songs include Doston Se Pyar Kiya, One Two Cha Cha Cha, Rambha Ho, Hari Om Hari, Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache, Hai Ye Maya, Aami Shotti Bolchi and Darling. Her deep voice, mix of Hindi and English lyrics and nightclub roots made her unlike any other Bollywood playback singer, from the disco years to the 2010s.
Usha Uthup began singing professionally in 1969 and is still performing more than five decades later. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2011 and the Padma Bhushan in 2024. Here is a closer look at the songs that show why she has always stood apart.
Usha Uthup: quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 November 1947, Bombay (now Mumbai) |
| Career start | 1969, at the Nine Gems nightclub in Chennai |
| Early big stage | Trincas nightclub, Kolkata |
| Languages | Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Odia, Marathi, Swahili and more |
| Civilian honours | Padma Shri (2011), Padma Bhushan (2024) |
| Filmfare Award | Best Female Playback Singer for Darling (7 Khoon Maaf) |
What makes Usha Uthup’s songs different
Most Hindi film singers of the 1970s and 1980s came from a classical or light music background. Usha Uthup came from the nightclub stage. She sang jazz, pop and rock standards to live audiences before she ever stepped into a film studio, and that energy shows in her recordings.
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Her voice is low and husky, which was rare for a female playback singer at the time. She also moved easily between Hindi and English in the same song, long before that became common in Bollywood music. Critics and fans often point to this blend of jazz, rock and Indian styles as her signature.
8 out-of-the-box Usha Uthup songs we love
1. Doston Se Pyar Kiya (Shaan, 1980)
This song from Shaan is one of her best-known film tracks. The music is by R.D. Burman and the lyrics are by Anand Bakshi. Her voice carries the song’s playful, club-style mood with ease, and it remains a favourite on retro playlists.
2. One Two Cha Cha Cha (Shalimar, 1978)
Composed by R.D. Burman for Shalimar, this is a classic disco-era number. Many listeners cannot make out every word of the lyrics, but that has never stopped it from filling dance floors at parties and weddings. The rhythm and her confident delivery do the work.
3. Rambha Ho (Armaan, 1981)
Rambha Ho is perhaps the song most people link with Usha Uthup. It mixes Hindi and English lines and has the swagger of a Western stage show. The track found new listeners in 2025, when a reworked version appeared in the film Dhurandhar with music by Shashwat Sachdev, according to Wikipedia.
4. Hari Om Hari (Pyaara Dushman, 1980)
Composed by Bappi Lahiri, Hari Om Hari shows off the gruff, powerful side of her voice. The song became a disco staple in the early 1980s and is still one of the first tracks people name when they talk about her film work.
5. Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache (Disco Dancer, 1982)
Disco Dancer was one of the defining films of Indian disco, and this track is a big part of its soundtrack. The song is pure retro fun, built for dancing, and her voice gives it a punch that matches the film’s glitter and style.
6. Hai Ye Maya (Don 2, 2011)
This song from Don 2, composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, introduced her to a new generation of filmgoers. Hearing her voice in a slick 2011 action film showed how well her style still suited modern Bollywood music.
7. Aami Shotti Bolchi (Kahaani, 2012)
Composed by Vishal-Shekhar for the 2012 thriller Kahaani, this Bengali track suits her long connection with Kolkata, where she built her career. The instrumentation and her voice blend well, and it is a good starting point for younger listeners.
8. Darling (7 Khoon Maaf, 2011)
Composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Darling is a fun, flirty number that blends cultures in its music and video, with Priyanka Chopra on screen. It won Usha Uthup the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, a major honour coming more than four decades into her career.
Quick list of the songs
- Doston Se Pyar Kiya: Shaan (1980)
- One Two Cha Cha Cha: Shalimar (1978)
- Rambha Ho: Armaan (1981)
- Hari Om Hari: Pyaara Dushman (1980)
- Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache: Disco Dancer (1982)
- Hai Ye Maya: Don 2 (2011)
- Aami Shotti Bolchi: Kahaani (2012)
- Darling: 7 Khoon Maaf (2011)
Usha Uthup’s career beyond films
Film songs are only one part of her story. Her first public singing was at the age of nine, on Radio Ceylon’s Ovaltine Music Hour. She then built her name on the live circuit in Chennai and Kolkata, and live shows remain the heart of her career.
She sings in many Indian languages and has also performed in Swahili. That range is one reason she has fans across the country, not just among Hindi film listeners. Her Padma Bhushan in 2024 recognised this long contribution to Indian music.
For more on Indian music and film, visit our entertainment section, and read profiles of other artists in our people section.
Frequently asked questions
What is Usha Uthup’s most famous song?
Rambha Ho, Hari Om Hari and Doston Se Pyar Kiya are among her most famous songs. Darling from 7 Khoon Maaf is her most awarded track.
Which award did Usha Uthup win for Darling?
She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Darling from 7 Khoon Maaf.
When did Usha Uthup get the Padma Bhushan?
She received the Padma Bhushan in 2024. She had earlier been given the Padma Shri in 2011.
Where did Usha Uthup start her career?
She began singing professionally in 1969 at the Nine Gems nightclub in Chennai and later sang at Trincas in Kolkata.
Sources: Wikipedia: Usha Uthup, Padma Awards, Government of India.
