Usha is one of the most talented and brilliant playback singers in Tollywood right from post 2000s era. With a career spanning over 10 years, she became the most consistent singer and noted voice of Film Playback singing in Telugu. Started her career as an aspiring singer and became a noted face in SPB’s prestigious Music talent show Padutha Teeyaga in mid 90s. Following her breakthrough success in Padutha Teeyaga, she appeared in various other popular TV shows such as Navaragam in Telugu, Meri Awaz Suno, and Endaro Mahanubhavulu - winning much deserved appreciation and accolades at a young age.
Usha was introduced to playback singing by composer Vandemataram Srinivas for a film named Illalu. But her real breakthrough as a playback singer came for the movie Chitram, the music of which was composed by R.P. Patnaik. This film marked a milestone for a great musical duo in Tollywood. Telugu people were amazed with her fresh, fantastic and youthful voice in the song “Oohala Pallakilo” and it marked a golden era for Usha in Playback singing ever since. Usha was the first choice for R.P. Patnaik for all the films which followed Chitram and every film’s audio was an instant hit. Nuvvu Nenu, Manasantha Nuvve, Santhosham, Sreeram, Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu and Nee Sneham are some of the films which have Usha’s best works and some fantastic solos to look out for. At the same time, she was also singing for other contemporary composers of that age such as Mani Sharma, Ramana Gogula, Devi Sri Prasad and Keeravani. Excellent voice range, crystal clear Telugu diction and ability to sing a song of any genre are some of the best aspects of Usha’s singing.
Usha is a warm and friendly individual off the stage and she sang for many private albums as well. After her marriage in 2005, she continued to appear in music shows like Padutha Teeyaga, Super Singer etc., as a judge and giving live performances all over the World along with music stalwarts like SPB, Suseela, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan and so on. Till date she also received three Nandi Awards as a best female playback singer.
Some best songs of Usha in her playback singing career:
Oohala Pallakilo - Chitram
Ne tholi Saariga - Santhosham
Ela Ela Telupanu - Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu
Tooneega Tooneega - Manasantha Nuvve
Chinuku Thadiki - Nee Sneham
Langa Voni - Varsham
Satyam Emito - Athidhi
