“All the good girls got Lata ji and Asha, and all the bad girls got me” — With this trademark burst of humour, pop icon Usha Uthup summed up the mindset she encountered early in life, one that shaped her rise as one of India's most distinctive voices.

Known for her powerful vocals, Kanjeevaram sarees, a flower tucked into her styled hair, and a bold bindi, Uthup has always been distinctive both in her attire and sound.

At 78, she captivated the audience at the concluding act of the seventh Dehradun Literature Festival with eclectic songs and conversation packed with humour, proving she understood from the start that imitation was never her thing.

“I realised I could never sing like Lata ji or Asha. There was a preconceived idea that all pure and good girls only got Lata Mangeshkar's voi

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