Singer Usha Uthup’s husband, Jani Chacko, dies in Calcutta after a severe cardiac arrest

New Delhi: Indian pop icon Usha Uthup’s husband, Jani Chacko Uthup, died in Kolkata on Monday, his family said. Jani, 78, felt pain while watching TV at home and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was severe cardiac arrest, according to the family.

About Usha Uthup’s husband Jani Chacko

Jani, Usha’s second husband, had a career in the tea plantation sector. The couple met in the legendary Trincas in the early 1970s. Usha was previously married to the late Ramu.

Jani leaves behind Usha, her son Sunny and her daughter Anjali. The family announced that the last rites would be performed on Tuesday.

About Usha Uthup

Usha Uthup, 76, was recently awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government. She began her singing career in a nightclub in Chennai and was discovered by legendary actor Dev Anand in a nightclub in Delhi. He gave her her Bollywood debut in his 1971 film Hare Rama Hare Krishna.

Usha sang numerous songs for composers RD Burman and Bappi Lahiri during the disco era of the 1970s and 1980s, including hits like “One Two Cha Cha Cha”, “Hari Om Hari”, “Doston Se Pyar Kiya”, “Shaan Se”, “Ramba”, “Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache” and “Naaka Bandi”. Recently, she has performed “Vande Mataram” from ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, “Darling” from ‘7 Khoon Maaf’ and the title song of ‘Drishyam 2’ last year. She is also known for the title song of the popular television show ‘Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai’ and catchy jingles like “Amul”.

Usha has also sung in several South Indian films including Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. She has acted in several films, most notably as Priyanka Chopra’s domestic helper Maggie Aunty in the 2011 black comedy 7 Khoon Maaf.

Usha Uthup on her Padma Bhushan victory

In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Usha spoke about her feelings when she received the Padma Bhushan earlier this year: “I couldn’t believe it. I got a call from the ministry in Delhi and was told to keep it a secret until they announced it. I can imagine if I had learnt classical music… but I was someone who sings all genres, including jazz, folk or foreign languages. I started my career singing in nightclubs and acted in the few films I got. They were all big hits but you really wonder how this honour came about.”

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