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Singer Usha's entry into the film industry was nothing less than a dream. She won PAADUTHA TEEYAGA and NAVARAGAM music contests on ETV and Gemini TV respectively. She was runner-up in the national music competition MERI AWAAZ SUNO on star plus channel. Since her entry into the Telugu film industry, she rendered her voice to various chartbusters between 2000 through 2005. Usha won the NANDI award for "Best Female Playback Singer" 2 times in a row in 2002 and 2003. Her marriage with Sreekanth, a business analyst with one of the Big5 firms, brought her to the USA in July 2005. Since then she has been taking part in music concerts across various cities in the USA. Her latest program was with Telugu Association of Greater Delaware Valley for Ugadi 2006.Tollywoodinfo.com caught up with Usha on the occasion of her birthday on 29th May. Tollywoodinfo: Usha garu, wish you a very happy birthday. Usha: Thanks a lot andi.  Tollywoodinfo: Can you tell us about family and childhood?Usha: My father is a retired Executive Engineer from Irrigation department and my mother is a home maker. I have two elder sisters and one elder brother, all settled in the USA. Since my childhood, I was interested in singing. However I never got a chance to learn classical music during my childhood. I used to listen to songs and learn them. After participating in music competitions on TV shows, I came to the industry in the year 2000. I learnt classical music after coming into the industry from SAIBABA garu. Tollywoodinfo: So how is married life? Usha: I am happy to have found a loving and understanding partner in Sreekanth. He gives me support and encouragement towards my career. Tollywoodinfo: It must have been a big change for you to come to USA after being a very successful singer in Telugu? Usha: Yes! But it was a pleasant change. Tollywoodinfo: So what are your recent endeavors? Usha: Sreekanth always asks me to spend a minimum of 3 months in India and sing for movies. I will do so shortly. I have been performing in music concerts quite regularly in the USA with my orchestra group named “USHANJALI”.  Tollywoodinfo: Yes, we have heard of your concert for BATA (Bay area Telugu association) and Sankara eye foundation that raised a lot of money. Usha: Yes, that event raised a little more than $100,000. Tollywoodinfo: Your combination with RP was highly successful. What is your opinion on him as a person and music director? Usha: RP garu is like my brother. I have been tying rakhee to him since 2000 and he treats me like his little sister. As a music director, he composes very soulful music which is pleasant to hear. I enjoy listening to his music as much as I enjoy singing his songs. Tollywoodinfo: Many feel that you exclusively sang for him... Usha: I sang for Ilayaraja, Keeravani, Koti, Mani Sarma, Devi Sri Prasad, Anoop, Chakri, Kamalakar and many upcoming music directors; but because almost all of my songs in RP gari music direction became chartbusters, people may feel that way. Tollywoodinfo: Who is your favorite music director? Usha: I like all music directors who give good music :) Tollywoodinfo: Who are your favorite singers? Usha: Among male singers I like Sri. Ghantasala, SPB and Shankar Mahadevan; and among female singers I like Suseela, Janaki and Chitra. As a matter of fact, I absolutely adore Chitra and look up to her as my role model.  Tollywoodinfo: Any memories about film industry that you want to share?Usha: I received compliments from Chiranjeevi garu during the World Telugu Federation in 2002 at Singapore. He personally asked me to render few songs for him. I feel blessed to have sung for Ilayaraja garu. He appreciated my voice and I can never forget his compliments for my singing. I won the P. Suseela Award and it was an honor to receive the award from the legend (P. Suseela) herself. They are many more but these memories I cherish the most. Tollywoodinfo: What are your future endeavors? Usha: I will be visiting India later this year to pursue film playback singing. I will be releasing a few albums in India and the US for which negotiations are going on. Also, I have a few programs lined up here in the USA. Tollywoodinfo: Have you visited Tollywoodinfo.com? Usha: Sreekanth introduced me to your site. He mentioned it belonged to some of his friends. I think your site is good and I make it a point to read movie reviews although initially I did not understand the grading system. Tollywoodinfo: Any suggestions for wannabe singers? Usha: Having a good voice is a gift of god. We can earn money or position but knowledge of music cannot be earned; one gets it as an inborn quality. I think in the film industry, especially in the music field, every deserving person gets opportunities to prove their worth. If you are talented you will certainly get a good name and recognition - sooner or later. We should put sincere efforts to utilize these opportunities. Be positive and trust in god! Singer Usha can be reached at singerusha@gmail.com and her website is www.singerusha.com. Tollywoodinfo.com wishes Usha a very happy birthday. We wish Sreekanth and Usha a great future ahead. |