{WHEN I WAS 22... } Usha Uthup, singer

"I went on to become the highest paid nightclub singer at ₹1,500 a montħ"

- JAMAL SHAIKH

Usha singing at her favourite haunt Trincas with the house band

At 22, where were you career-wise?

I had just started singing and was doing shows at nightclubs.

What was your money situation like then?

I was very, very excited when I received my first pay cheque of 0750. This was not payment for one night, but for the three weeks that I had sung. And then, of course, I went on to become the highest paid nightclub singer and I got 01,500 a month!

What was your romantic life like then?

My romantic life started at 22 and I was a true romantic. I could be very happy just looking in Jani's (her husband) eyes.

What did you do for fitness?

People didn't really think about fitness the way we think about it now. You just kept playing games at school.

Tell us about your sense of fashion back then.

People think that it is a big fashion statement that I have made by only wearing a Kanjeevaram saree with broad borders. In fact, it's not. The saree was the most natural thing for me.

Your most prized possession then?