Kolkata: Jani Chacko Uthup, husband of Indian pop icon Usha Uthup, passed away in Kolkata on Monday, according to family sources. Jani, aged 78, experienced discomfort while watching television at home. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was attributed to a massive cardiac arrest.

Jani, Usha's second husband, had a background in the tea plantation industry. The couple first met in the early '70s at the famous Trincas nightclub. Jani is survived by Usha, as well as their son and daughter. The family has announced that the last rites will be performed on Tuesday.

Usha has received the Padma Bhushan award in recognition of her contributions to music. She began her career as a nightclub singer in Calcutta and went on to perform all over India and the world, experimenting with different musical genres while sporting her signature Kanjeevaram sari and floral hairstyle. PTI