India, May 7 -- Usha Uthup's very existence is a slap on the face of both misogyny and ageism. The 78-year-old singer, whose roaring voice combines sensuality with playfulness, had audiences at The Sacred Amritsar struggling to keep up with her energy. At this festival of culture and heritage held from February 20-22, she belted out her most iconic numbers including Hari Om Hari, Ramba Ho, Koi Yahan Aha Nache Nache, Dum Maro Dum, Doston Se Pyaar Kiya, and Darling and had people of all ages dancing to her tunes.

Minutes after she got off the stage, and eased into a conversation with me in the green room, she broke into a children's rhyme: "My name is Madhavi, I am from Alleppey / I speak Malayalam, but I am just like you." These are the o...