by Subhash K Jha

The Indian Idol finalist Karunya is on a new high. On Tuesday he landed in Kolkata for a free-for-all concert, and headed straight to meet the ageless crooner Usha Uthup.

Karunya went to meet Usha Uthup at her studio. Recalling the meeting Karunya says, "I was very excited about meeting Usha Uthup for several reasons. She is such a talented singer.She sings in South Indian languages and also Hindi very fluently. And let's not forget, she's is a south Indian like me."

Usha Uthup welcomes Karunya waremly. "People of Kolkata are very patient and enjoy music like no one else, all good artists enjoy performing in Kolkata...so enjoy performing here..and give your best performance to the people of this city!" Usha exulted.

She gifted Karunya a stole with Bengali words printed on it and told him to keep it always as it's a very lucky stole

She offered sandesh (bengali sweets) to Karunya and asked him not to worry if he doesn't win the title and to always remember that she too had never won a prize in her entire life but had never given up hopes and had put in all her efforts and had made a name for herself

Karunya sang songs for Usha Uthup in Rajasthani, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada

Said Usha Uthup, "This is the hallmark of a true singer"

Usha Uthup taught Karunya a Bengali song which he decided to sing at the concert in Kolkata. The song...."Kkolkata kolkata don't worry kolkata".

Karunya has no reason to worry.