She came into the spotlight as a playback singer after singing some devotional songs for the movie Jai Santoshi Maa (1975), which became an all-time blockbuster.[1] She was nominated for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer award for her song "Main to Aarti" in that film. She sang the same songs for that movie's remake in 2006.[citation needed]
"Aavo Aavo Momino Sahu Aavore" from Noorani Chehra
Also did scores of Marathi songs for Dada Kondke, including the most famous "Dhagala Lagali Kala" and "Tumhawar Keli Me Marji Bahar" from Pinjara. In 2008, Usha collaborated with Shaukat (Sam) Kassam for the CD Noorani Chehra, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Agha Khan.