India, Aug. 14 -- When asked to reflect on Ramba Ho, the 1981 hit finding a fresh lease of life through Dhurandhar, Usha Uthup simply says, "A song is bigger than a singer. You have to give it time to become a classic - the kids have made it so. The Gen-Z today is going retro even at Trincas."

Trincas is the iconic heritage restaurant and tea room, and a much-sought out venue for live music in Kolkata, where Uthup performed in her early years, and continues to do so occasionally.

There is no triumphalism in her voice about the song she first struck to life decades ago being reinvented; instead, a quiet acceptance that only someone who spent many years under the sun can understand.

Likewise, when the 79-year-old artiste-performer - born...