Usha Chivukula is a passionate promoter of the Indian traditional performing arts, and an experienced performer in dance, drama and music herself. She received training in Carnatic and Hindustani vocal music, and also in the veena, for many years in India, before going on to be selected as an All-India radio artist. More recently Usha has performed classical and popular music concerts across India, Australia and the USA. She has released albums of devotional and light classical ghazal music.

Additionally, she is also an exponent of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, the traditional dance forms of Southern India, training under the internationally renowned dance guru and musicologist Sri Nataraja Ramakrishna.

Usha is a judge within this year’s Rising Star Awards (Carnatic), and is also giving vocal accompaniment for Rising Star Award winner in Kathak, Ku Sheena
Rinky Bala. At previous Sangeet Melas she gave natthuvangam accompaniment for Bharatanatyam dancer Ku Janani Ganapathi in 2016, and also gave vocal accompaniment for Kathak dance performer Dr Helena Joshi at Sangeet Mela 2015.