Usha (born 29 May 1980) is an Indian singer who works predominantly in Telugu. She has sung in Kannada and Tamil also. In a career spanning about 10 years, she has established herself as one of the leading playback singers in the Telugu film industry and has worked with many major music directors.

Usha
Born (1980-05-29) 29 May 1980 (age 44)
OriginNagarjuna Sagar, Telangana, India
Genresplayback singing
OccupationSinger
Years active1999–present
Websitesingerusha.com

Career

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Music competitions

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Usha began her singing career with "Paadutha Teeyaga", a music based program on Eenadu Television hosted by singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. She stood first in the competition and later followed up by winning another music contest titled "Navaragam" on Gemini TV.

Usha participated in various music-related shows on TV between 1996 and 2000. Her performance in "Endaro Mahanubhavlu" on Gemini TV won her appreciation and applause from the audience. She later participated in "Meri Awaz Suno" on Star TV and was one of the finalists in the All-India finals. She also participated in various Hindi programs on channels like ELTV and Zee TV.

Movie career

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Usha got her maiden opportunity from Sri. Vandemataram Srinivas, renowned music director. Her first song was from the movie Illalu.[1] She got her major break in Telugu film industry in 2000. She sang various chart busters for Telugu movies like Indra, Chiruta, Athidhi, Pourudu, Varsham, Bhadra, Chitram, Nuvvu Nenu, Manasantha Nuvve, Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu, Jayam, Santhosham, Nee Sneham, Avunanna Kadanna and many more (for complete filmography, please see the section below).

Concerts

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Usha has performed in close to 150 concerts worldwide. Apart from her own solo concerts, she has performed alongside legendary singers and musicians like Sri. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Mani Sharma, P. Susheela and Mano among many others. Her biggest achievement was performing with Sri. SP Balasubramanyam at the Afro-Asian Games opening ceremony in 2003 in Hyderabad.

TV programmes

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  • Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – Little Champs (Zee Telugu) – 2007
  • Swaraneerajanam (Zee Telugu) – 2008
  • Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – Nuvva Nena (Zee Telugu) – 2010
  • Super Singer 7 (MAA TV ) – 2012
  • Super Singer 10 (MAA TV) – 2019
  • Super singer 2020 by vastavam

Awards

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Nandi Awards

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  • Best Female Playback Singer (TV Category) in 2006 for TV film song "Bommarillu Podarillu"
  • Best Female Playback Singer in 2002 for "Chinuku Tadiki" song from Nee Sneham
  • Best Female Playback Singer in 2001 for "Kallu Teravani" song from Padma

Filmography

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Usha has recorded with music directors, such as Ilaiyaraaja, M. M. Keeravani, Koti, Mani Sharma, Vandemataram Srinivas, Devi Sri Prasad, Kamalakar, RP Patnaik, Chakri, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ramana Gogula and others.

Telugu discography

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Year Film Song Composer(s) Co-Singer(s)
2002 Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu "Edo Edo" R. P. Patnaik
"Ela Ela"
Indra "Ayyo Ayyo Ayyayyo" R. P. Patnaik Karthik
Jayam "Nesthama" R. P. Patnaik R. P. Patnaik
"Priyathama"
"Gorantha Prema"
"Evvaru Emanna"
"Raanu Raanu"
"Enduko"(Female)
Sreeram "Bulli Bulli" R. P. Patnaik R. P. Patnaik
"Chinna Chitunavvutoti" S. P. Charan
Santosham "Nuvvante Nakisthamani" R. P. Patnaik Rajesh
"Devude Digivachina" KK
"Diri Diri Diridi"
"Ne Tholisariga"
Gemini "Dil Diwana Main Hasina" R. P. Patnaik
"Nadaka Chuste Vayyaram" Shankar Mahadevan
Eeswar "Olammo Olammo" R. P. Patnaik R. P. Patnaik
"Gundelo Valava" Rajesh
"Dhindhirana"
"Innallu"
"Kotaloni Rani" Rajesh, Kousalya
Nee Sneham "Yeppatiki" R. P. Patnaik R. P. Patnaik
"Yemo Aunemo" Rajesh
"Ila Choodu"
"Chinuku Thadiki"
"Yemo Aunemo"(Humming)

References

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  1. ^ "Usha is back on the melody track". The Hindu. 4 May 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
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