Indian pop icon Usha Uthup’s husband, Jani Chacko Uthup died in Kolkata on Monday, after a cardiac arrest. Jani, 78, complained of discomfort while watching TV at their residence. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead. Jani Chacko Uthup was Usha Uthup’s second husband and the couple are parents to a son and a daughter.
Who was Jani Chacko Uthup?
Jani Uthup worked with the famous tea company J Thomas & Company. While Jani was associated with the tea plantation sector, not much is known about his job. Jani and Usha met at a restaurant in Kolkata in the 70s while the singer was performing Herp Albert’s A Taste of Honey.
As per Vikas Kumar Jha’s 2022 book The Queen of Indian Pop: The Authorised Biography of Usha Uthup, Usha saw Jani in conversation with her first husband, Ramu. She was relieved to see Ramu making a friend in Kolkata.
How did Usha and Jani fall in love?
Later in the evening, Ramu was absent from the gig and Jani offered to drop her home. While Usha accepted Jani’s offer, the two did not interact much. The book then mentions, “Usha knocked on the door and Ramu opened it. His face turned pale looking at Jani standing behind Usha. Even as Usha stepped inside, Ramu said to Jani Uthup who was standing at the door, ‘That’s enough Mr Uthup! You can go.’ Usha couldn’t figure Ramu’s uneasiness. What had happened to her husband who was normally very calm? Ramu slammed the door shut.”
The book mentions, “He screamed and broke down. ‘Do you know what Jani Uthup told me this afternoon at the Chinese restaurant? He said, ‘I don’t know about Usha and her feelings, but I am in love with your wife.’’ As he said this Ramu was shaking with anger. ‘Okay, he said that to you. So, what happened?’ Usha said in a soft voice. ‘He didn’t say anything to me.’ ‘But what Jani said…is it true? Do you have the same feelings for him?’ Ramu’s voice was distraught. ‘Yes! Usha replied, pushing aside all fear.”
As per the book, Ramu threw a plate violently at a wall after hearing Usha’s confession. In the weeks that followed, Ramu grew distant and their marriage fell apart. Usha then decided to marry Jani after ending her five-year marriage with Ramu.
Jani Chacko Uthup’s last rites will be held on Tuesday, July 9, the family said.
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