FICCI FLO Chennai Celebrates World Saree Day with an Unforgettable Evening of Music, Memories and Meaningful Conversations featuring Usha Uthup

FICCI FLO Chennai marked World Saree Day with Saree Symphony, an evocative cultural evening celebrating music, heritage and womanhood, headlined by the iconic Usha Uthup at ITC Grand Chola. The event was a highlight of Chennai’s vibrant December art and music season, bringing together women leaders, cultural patrons and art enthusiasts for an evening steeped in nostalgia, rhythm and timeless tradition.

True to its name, Saree Symphony was a seamless blend of soulful music and heartfelt storytelling. Draped in her signature saree, Usha Uthup captivated the audience not just with her powerful, unmistakable voice, but also with candid reflections on her extraordinary journey. In a free-flowing and deeply personal conversation, she spoke about embracing individuality from a young age, recalling how she was once told her voice did not fit conventional musical categories , a moment she accepted with grace rather than disappointment, choosing joy and authenticity over conformity.

Sharing anecdotes from her early career, Usha Uthup fondly reminisced about performing at Chennai’s Hotel Savera, where she discovered that her greatest reward was making people smile through her music. She recalled purchasing her first Kanchipuram saree from Nalli Silks for just ₹126 , a light green saree with a delicate gold border , which she treasures to this day as a symbol of independence, pride and self-earned success. These memories beautifully echoed the spirit of World Saree Day, reinforcing the saree as a powerful marker of identity, confidence and personal history.

Usha Uthup also reflected on her journey as a proud nightclub singer, embracing the label at a time when it was often misunderstood. She narrated how word-of-mouth performances  long before the age of social media , led her from Bombay to Calcutta and Delhi, eventually catching the attention of stalwarts like Dev Anand, paving the way for her iconic Bollywood debut in Hare Rama Hare Krishna. She also spoke about her Tamil and Malayalam film songs, including the much-loved Madana Maligai with Kamal Haasan, with her trademark wit noting, “All the good girls got Lataji and Asha Bhosle, and all the bad girls got my voice , I am truly the original item girl,” drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

“Don’t tell God how big your problems are — tell your problems how big your God is,” said Usha Uthup, leaving the audience inspired with her philosophy of faith, optimism and fearless living.

The evening reached a crescendo as Usha Uthup invited the audience to rise from their seats, filling the hall with infectious energy as she rendered a series of lively numbers. What followed was a joyous celebration , with guests dancing, clapping and singing along , transforming the evening into a shared, unforgettable experience.

The conversation with Usha Uthup was thoughtfully moderated by Ms. Jeyasree Ravi, Founder of Palam Silks, whose insightful prompts seamlessly wove together themes of music, textiles, womanhood and legacy. The event was further elevated by the presence of Mrs. Poonam Sharma, National President (2025–26), FICCI FLO, whose presence added gravitas to the celebration.

Curated under the leadership of Chairperson Niyati A. Mehta and the FLO Chennai committee, Saree Symphony stood as a powerful ode to India’s cultural richness  celebrating inclusivity, heritage and the arts while reinforcing FLO Chennai’s commitment to creating meaningful cultural engagements for women leaders.

With music, memories and the timeless elegance of the saree at its heart, Saree Symphony was a fitting tribute to Chennai’s season of art and culture , an evening that resonated long after the final note.