Usha Uthup's "First Payment" In Madras Was A Saree, Which Began Her Lifelong Obsession

75-year-old Usha Uthup, also a Padma Shri awardee, is best known as the legendary playback singer for her songs from the 70s and 80s. However, besides her eloquent singing, not many know about her impeccable taste in sarees. The singer has a classic and stylish ethnic wardrobe displayed on more than a single occasion. In a recent interview with Cred, Usha Uthup talked about her obsession with sarees and about how every saree has a story behind it.

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Explaining how her love for sarees began, the singer said, "My obsession was always to own lovely, lovely saris. My first payment in 1969 in Madras was a sari. This started my obsession. Subsequently, of course, there were so many saris, and slowly, my collection grew. Each one has a marvellous story," she said.

The singer mentioned her favourite 9 sarees from the collection and described the story behind each one. The Kanjeevaram Orange Checks Saree which her amma owned is one. She mentioned how checks, stripes, and dots don't go out of fashion and thanked her mother for the lovely saree. The Kanjeevaram Puja Border Saree With Gold Hamsa Motif is her daughter's favourite saree and she always had her eyes on it. The design is a traditional one.

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The Kerala Kanjeevaram Black Silk Sareedid did not make her mother-in-law happy. "On this side of the coast, one hardly ever wears white. But on that side of the coast where I was married, i.e., Kerala, everything is in pastel shades and white. I remember my mother-in-law with so much love. She would get so angry whenever I would wear another black sari," she shared.

Her Kanjeevaram Green Saree With Gold Zari Border had a beautiful combination that was very unusual but traditional. She described the saree with memories of Amitabh Bachchan and said that she wore the saree to an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati.

The Purple And Pink Kanjeevaram With Gold Elephant Motifs which she calls 'The Kamal Haasan' saree as she received the saree as a gift from the actor on her birthday on 8th November. Her Purple Kanjeevaram Polka Dot Borderless Saree was worn to KKR's match. She believes that her purple saris bought specially for Kolkata Knight Riders are a lucky charm for the IPL team. "So you know if they ever lost, I wasn't there in Eden Gardens. Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, this is for you," she jokingly said

She wore her Cream Kanjeevaram With Heavy Gold Border one when she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian Government. The Blue Muga Silk Saree With Gold Embroidery was gifted to her by a woman from Assam. "These borders are so intricate; they have been sewed on. Though it's not my colour, I have worn it very lovingly," she said.

She described the Marigold Pujo Saree as an integral colour in Kolkata which she relates with power. She says she loves to wear the colour during the Pujo. We would definitely love to see more of Usha Uthup's gorgeous saree collection.

Source: Cred

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