I chose Kolkata and this city chose me back: Usha Uthup

Kolkata, Kolkata, don’t worry Kolkata – these words have become part of the city’s very being, carried across generations in the unmistakable voice of veteran singer Usha Uthup. Few artistes belong to a city the way she does, and that enduring bond is precisely what makes her a changemaker. Honoured with both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, Uthup is Bengali by choice and Calcuttan by heart. She speaks of the city not as a place on a map, but as a living, breathing presence. In a conversation celebrating 25 years of Calcutta Times, the legendary indie-pop icon reflects on the magic in Kolkata’s air, the warmth of its people, the comfort of chai and unhurried conversations, the scent of old books, and her lifelong belief in music as a universal language. Read on to discover how this city shaped her life, her voice, and her soul.I say this with absolute conviction: it is important to say I love Kolkata because the city allows you to think, to be free, to sing, and to fly: Usha UthupI was born a Tamilian in Mumbai, but I am Bengali and Calcuttan by choice: Usha Uthup‘I chose Kolkata and this city chose me back’When you say Kolkata, when you speak of loving this city, people often say my name comes first – and why not? You can’t really go wrong with Kolkata, can you? My song Aha tumi sundari koto Kolkata, created in the late ’80s, is an ode to the city, and people say it remains one of the most nostalgic and loved songs dedicated to the City of Joy. Apnara shobai janmo shokti te Bengali aar ami ichhe shokti te Bangali. I was born into a Tamil family in Mumbai, but I am Bengali – and Calcuttan – by choice. Being included by Calcutta Times as it celebrates 25 years, the city, and its 25 icons means so much to me. Thank you for placing me among those who truly love Kolkata – because for me, that love is not casual; it runs deep and defines who I am. ‘Kolkata is where love, life, and song began’Kolkata is not only about the stadium, the buildings, North Kolkata, boi para, or even the Victoria Memorial. There is a magic in its air that makes it truly special. People ask if it’s the empathy of its people – I say it’s magic, something you cannot quite define, but you know it’s there. I’m not saying other cities aren’t real, but Kolkata is deeply real to me. Some cities show you their beauty, but Kolkata shows you your soul. This is where I began my life and career, singing at Trincas on Park Street. This is where I found love, where my family began. What more can one really say about Kolkata – my home for over 50 years? I have been singing for over 57 years, and I am deeply grateful to still be here. I started as a nightclub singer – my journey was not built on formal riyaaz, nor did I learn music in the traditional sense. My focus has always been on communication. Every day, I strive to connect better with my audience – that is my practice. If I don’t communicate, if I don’t connect, that day feels incomplete. I have sung in over 17 Indian languages and eight foreign languages, but to me, music is the universal language. I love weaving multiple languages into a concert – it helps me connect with diverse audiences. Because music goes beyond words, and in the end, it belongs to everyone. ‘More than anything, I want my friends from other cities to experience the warmth of Kolkata’The first thing I tell friends who’ve never visited Kolkata is simple: if you haven’t experienced Kolkata, you haven’t experienced India. I ask them to go everywhere, feel every corner — because the city is always throbbing with life. Kolkata’s food is loved across the world, and I’m not just a foodie, I’m a junkie — I love it all, from phuchkas to channa, even the things people hesitate to recommend. But more than anything, I want them to experience the people and their warmth, along with the city’s café culture. Every morning, I say, “I’m going to ATS” – sounds fancy but it’s city favourite Arun Tea Stall. The chai, toast, and adda with friends in the open – that, to me, is Kolkata.” ‘My bindi is my identity’My signature large bindi with Bengali letter ‘kaw’ written in it has become my trademark and it also signifies my deep connection to this city. Actually, it’s my USP. Even when I’m travelling, even at airport security, sometimes the ladies smile and say, “Aaj ke apni ‘kaw’ lekha tip poren ni? That sense of ownership and affection is wonderful. That’s who I am. Combined with Kanjeevaram saris, flowers in my hair and sneakers, the “Kaw” bindi is an integral part of me. Whenever I fly back to Kolkata and see its lights before landing, the city’s spirit hits me even from above – it’s surreal. Ekhono gae kata deye… it’s an overwhelming feeling : Usha UthupLove is the key to brotherhood, peace, and harmony. This is the time to believe in music and in love – so why fight when there’s so little time to love? : Usha UthupPix: Anindya Saha