Singer Usha

Infobox musical artist
Name = Usha
Background = solo_singer
Born = Birth date and age|1980|5|29|mf=y
Origin = flagicon|India Andhra Pradesh
Genre = playback singing
Occupation = singer
Years_active = 1999 – present
URL = http://www.singerusha.com/

Singer Usha is a Telugu playback singer.

Career

Music Competitions

Usha began her singing career with "Paadutha Teeyaga", a music based program on Eenadu Television hosted by legendary singer Sri. SP Balasubramanyam. 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

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

Concerts

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

TV Programs

* Judge for the music based program Zee Telugu "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" Little Champs.
* Usha hosted a music based program on Zee Telugu TV channel titled "Swaraneerajanam" - first season.
* Usha was recently interviewed for "Youth Icon" program by Telugu TV channel TV9.
* Usha was the Judge for the semi-final episode of "Padalani Vundi" music program on MAA TV hosted by SP Balasubramanyam.

Awards

Nandi Awards

* Nandi award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2006 for TV film song "Bommarillu Podarillu"
* Nandi award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2002 for "Chinuku Tadiki" song from Nee Sneham
* Nandi award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2001 for "Kallu Teravani" song from Padma

Other Awards and Felicitations

* American Telugu Association (ATA) Excellence Award in 2008.
* Won the prestigious “Ugadi Puraskar” award from Madras Telugu Academy in 2005.
* "Guest of Honor" for felicitation of legendary singer Smt. Asha Bhonsle.
* Was awarded Gold medal from Padma Mohana Arts in 2004.
* Won the prestigious "P. Suseela Award" for Outstanding Singer in 2003.
* Won the “Alapana” award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2003.
* Won the “Eenadu TV” award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2003.
* Felicitated by TANA (Telugu Association of North America) in 2003.
* Won the “Cine MAA” and “Sivaranjani” award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2002.
* Won the “Kalavedika Art” and “Yuva Kala Vahini” awards for Best Female Playback Singer in 2002.
* Won the “ Vamsi Berkeley” award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2002.
* Won the ETA (European Telugu Association) award for Best Female Playback Singer (2001 and 2002).
* Felicitated by ETA (European Telugu Association) in 2002.
* Felicitated by Kala Sravanthi in 2002.
* Won the “AP Cinegoers” award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2001 and 2002.
* Won the “Vaartha Vaasavi ” award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2001.
* Won the “Bharata-Muni ” award for Best Female Playback Singer award in 2000.
* Felicitated at Bharat Cultural Integration by renowned actor Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao in 2000.

Concerts

* Performed at Afro-Asian Games held in India along with Sri. SP Balasubramanyam (2003).
* Most recently performed for "Santosham" awards function in Dubai (2007).
* Music concerts for TANA (Telugu Association of North America) in 2007 and 2003.
* Music concerts for ATA (American Telugu Association) in 2006.
* Various music concerts and fund-raisers across India, USA, Singapore, UK and UAE.
* Performed at WTF (World Telugu Federation) in Singapore in December 2002.

Filmography

Usha has recorded with music directors, such as Ilayaraja, MM Keeravani, Koti, Mani Sarma, Vandemataram Srinivas, Devi Sri Prasad, Kamalakar, RP Patnaik, Chakri, etc...

*" Mr. Gireesam" (2008)
*" Sri Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Mahatyam" (2008)
*" Gunde Jhallumandi" (2008)
*" Pandurangadu" (2008)
*" Erra Samudram" (2008)
*" Pourudu" (2008)
*" Bhadradri" (2008)
*" Ontari" (2008)
*" Athidhi" (2007)
*" Bhayya" (2007)
*" Chiruta" (2007)
*" Aa Roje" (2007)
*" Kalyanam" (2007)
*" Manchukurise Velalo" (2007)
*" Missing" (2007)
*" Pulakintha" (2006)
*" Amma Meeda Ottu" (2005)
*" Avunanna Kaadanna" (2005)
*" Ayodhya" (2005)
*" Bhadra" (2005)
*" Dhairyam" (2005)
*" Evadi Gola Vadide" (2005)
*" Friendship" (2005)
*" Good Boy" (2005)
*" Guru" (2005)
*" Manchukurise Velalo" (2005)
*" Meenakshi" (2005)
*" Moguds Pellams" (2005)
*" Pellam Pitchodu" (2005)
*" Pourusham" (2005)
*" Sada Mee Sevalo" (2005)
*" Satti" (2005)
*" Shravana Masam" (2005)
*" Thakadimitha" (2005)
*" Venkat Tho Alivelu" (2005)
*" Aa Naluguru" (2004)
*" Aadi C/O ABN College" (2004)
*" Apuroopam" (2004)
*" Avunu Nijame" (2004)
*" Jai" (2004)
*" Koduku" (2004)
*" Maa Ilavelpu" (2004)
*" Nayudamma" (2004)
*" Preminchukunnam Pelliki Randi" (2004)
*" Sreenu C/O Anu" (2004)
*" Sreenu Vasanthi Laxmi" (2004)
*" Swamy" (2004)
*" Tapana" (2004)
*" Thanks" (2004)
*" Varsham" (2004)
*" Aadanthe Ado Type" (2003)
*" Aayudham" (2003)
*" Appudappudu" (2003)
*" Dil" (2003)
*" Fools" (2003)
*" Golmaal" (2003)
*" Janaki Weds Sriram" (2003)
*" Johnny" (2003)
*" Kaartik" (2003)
*" Kalyanam" (2003)
*" Maa Bapubommaku Pellanta" (2003)
*" Missamma" (2003)
*" Neeku Nenu Naaku Nuvvu" (2003)
*" Nijam" (2003)
*" Sambhu" (2003)
*" Aahuti" (2002)
*" Allari Ramudu" (2002)
*" Ammulu" (2002)
*" Andam" (2002)
*" Anveshna" (2002)
*" Chance" (2002)
*" Dhanush" (2002)
*" Eeswar" (2002)
*" Gemini" (2002)
*" Girl Friend" (2002)
*" Hai" (2002)
*" Indra" (2002)
*" Jayam" (2002)
*" Jenda" (2002)
*" Jodi No.1" (2002)
*" Kubusam" (2002)
*" Manasundi...Ra!" (2002)
*" Memu" (2002)
*" Nee Premakai" (2002)
*" Nee Sneham" (2002)
*" Neethodu Kaavali" (2002)
*" Nenu Ninnu Premistunnanu" (2002)
*" Ninne Cherukunta" (2002)
*" Nuvve Nenu Nene Nuvvu" (2002)
*" Pellam Oorelithe" (2002)
*" Premante" (2002)
*" Prudhvi Narayana" (2002)
*" Santosham" (2002)
*" Sreeram" (2002)
*" Toli Parichayam" (2002)
*" Vachinavaadu Suryudu" (2002)
*" Ammo Bomma" (2001)
*" Badrachalam" (2001)
*" Manasantha Nuvve" (2001)
*" Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu" (2001)
*" Nuvvu Nenu" (2001)
*" Premaku Swagatham" (2001)
*" Shivudu" (2001)
*" Takkari Donga" (2001)
*" Vechi Vunta" (2001)
*" Baachi" (2000)
*" Chitram" (2000)
*" Shubhavela" (2000)
*" Chantigadu"
*" Colours"
*" Pavan Subbalakshmi Preminchukunnarata"
*" Ramma ! Chilakamma"
*" Rowdi"

Trivia

* Usha recently began her second innings in Tollywood in August 2007. She got married in June 2005 to US based software engineer and migrated to Virginia, USA.
* Usha is a post graduate in Computer Applications from Osmania University.
* Usha's private music albums "Toonega Toonega" and "Usharugaa" became very successful.
* Usha rendered her voice to around 450 Telugu film songs and 600 private songs (including devotionals).

External links

* http://www.singerusha.com
* http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_usha.html
* http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/usha-ilayaraja.html
* http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/wedding-usha.html
* http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/audio-usharuga.html
* http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1882341/6191786
* http://www.tollywoodinfo.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=869
* http://www.raaga.com/channels/telugu/artist/Usha.html
* http://www.telugufm.com/modules/music/SingerDetail.aspx?Star=Usha
* http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3701260263320804489
* http://www.andhravilas.com/movienews.asp?id=48235
* http://www.telugulo.com/view_news.php?id=3482
* http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/telugu/article/31295.html
* http://www.andhravilas.com/movienews.asp?id=48718
* http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/telugu/m/singer.1320/
* http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4123265541492938689
* http://www.telugulo.com/view_news.php?id=5358
* http://www.ragalahari.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4445