Uma Ramanan (1954/1955 – 1 May 2024) was an Indian playback singer, predominantly in the Tamil language. She was also a live stage performer who appeared in more than 6,000 concerts spanning 35 years.[1][2] Ramanan came from the Tamil Nadu state of India.

Uma Ramanan
Born1954/1955
Died (aged 69)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
GenresCarnatic
OccupationsPlayback singer, stage performer
Years active1976–2024

Personal life and background

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Whilst studying, Ramanan went through classical music training under Pazhani Vijayalakshmi. She participated in many inter-collegiate competitions and won several rewards and accolades. Later, she met A. V. Ramanan, a television host, performer and actor, who was on the look out for fresh voices for his stage concerts. From then, Uma and Ramanan became duo stage performers.[1]

Uma Ramanan was also a dancer trained under Padma Subrahmanyam.[3] She died in Chennai on 1 May 2024, at the age of 72.[4]

Career

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Playback singing

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During Uma's engagement with Ramanan's stage shows, noted producer — cameraman, Janakiraman offered both of them a duet in his 1976 released Hindi film Play Boy. The same pair got an offer to sing for the Tamil film Shri Krishna Leela in 1977 directed by A. P. Nagarajan and one of the last assignments of composer S. V. Venkatraman. In 1980, she sang for the A. V. Ramanan composed film Neerottam. However, it was "Poongathave Thaal Thirava" song for the film Nizhalgal released in the same year and composed by Ilayaraja that brought her to the front running singers list. It gave her a big career break and she went on to record more than 100 songs with Ilayaraja alone.[1] She has also sung for other music directors namely Vidyasagar, Deva and Mani Sharma.

Professional rapport with Ilayaraja

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Uma Ramanan along with some of her contemporaries is considered to be one of the rare finds of Ilayaraja in his career. She has recorded some of her career best songs under the music composition of Ilayaraja.[5]

Some of her major hits with Ilayaraja include :

  • 1980 – "Poongathave Thaal Thirava" (Nizhalgal)
  • 1980 – "Aasai Raaja Aariroe" (Moodu Pani)
  • 1981 – "Aanada Raagam" (Panneer Pushpangal)
  • 1981 – "Manjal Veyyil" (Nandu)
  • 1981 – "Amudhae Thamizhae" (Kovil Pura)
  • 1981 – "Vaanamae Mazhai Maegamae" (Madhu Malar)
  • 1981 – "Daaham Edukira Naeram" (Enakaaga Kaathiru)
  • 1981 – "Palli Araikkul" (Baala Naagammaa)
  • 1982 – "Bhoopalam Isaikkum" (Thooral Ninnu Pochchu)
  • 1983 – "Sevvandhi Pookalil" (Mella Paesungal)
  • 1983 – "Sevvarrali Thotathilae" (Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate)
  • 1983 – "Aathaadi Adhisayam" (Manavi Sollae Mandhiram)
  • 1984 – "Kasthuri Maane" (Pudhumai Penn)
  • 1984 – "Kaadhil Kaetadhu Oru Paatu" (Anbae Odi Vaa)
  • 1984 – "Maegham Karukkayilae" (Vaidehi Kaathirunthaal)
  • 1985 – "Kanmani Nee Vara" (Thendrale Ennai Thodu)
  • 1985 – "Ponn Maanae" (Oru Kaidhiyin Diary)
  • 1986 – "Yaar Thoorigai" (Paaru Paaru Pattinam Paaru)
  • 1990 – "Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Kanne" (Keladi Kanmani)
  • 1990 – "Aagaya Vennilave" (Arangetra Velai)
  • 1990 – "Unna Paartha Nerathula" (Mallu Vetti Minor)
  • 1994 – "Ooradangum Samathile" (Pudhupatti Ponnuthayi)
  • 1994 – "Sri Ranga Ranganathanin" (Mahanadi)
  • 1995 – "Nil Nil Nil Badhil Sol" (Pattu Paadava)
  • 1995 – "Velli Nilave" ("Nandhavana Theru")
  • 1995 – "Poochudum punnivaname" ("Aanazhagan")

Discography

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Year Film Song title Music Director Co-Singer
1977 Sri Krishna Leela Mohana Kannan Murali S. V. Venkatraman A. V. Ramanan
1980 Nizhalgal Poongathave Thaal Thirava Ilaiyaraaja Deepan Chakravarthy
1980 Neerottam Aasai Irukkuthu Nenjukkulle A. V. Ramanan A. V. Ramanan
1980 Moodu Pani Aasai Raaja Aariroe Ilaiyaraaja
1981 Bala Nagamma Palli Araikkul Ilaiyaraaja
1981 Enakaaga Kaathiru Daagam Edukira Naeram Ilaiyaraaja
1981 Garjanai Enna Sugamana Ulagam Ilaiyaraaja Malaysia Vasudevan
1981 Kudumbam Oru Kadambam Kalviyil Saraswati M. S. Viswanathan Vani Jairam, S. P. Sailaja & B. S. Sasirekha
1981 Madhu Malar Vaanamae Mazhai Maegamae Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1981 Nandu Manjal Veyyil Maalai Ilaiyaraaja
1981 Panneer Pushpangal Aaanadha Raagam Ilaiyaraaja
1981 Kovil Pura Amudhe Tamizhe Ilaiyaraaja P. Susheela
1982 Kanne Radha Kulunga Kulunga Ilamai Sirikkudhu Ilaiyaraaja
1982 Kavithai Malar Alaigale Vaa Avarudan Vaa Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1982 Nambinal Nambungal Disco Sangeetham Than Gangai Amaren Deepan Chakravarthy
1982 Thooral Ninnu Pochchu Bhoopalam Isaikkum Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1983 Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate Sevvarrali Thotathilae Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja
1983 Indru Nee Naalai Naan Thaazham Poove Kannurangu Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & S. Janaki
1983 Manaivi Solle Manthiram Aathaadi Adhisayam Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1983 Mella Paesungal Koovina Poogkuyil.... Sevvanthi Pookkalil Seidha Veedu Ilaiyaraaja Deepan Chakravarthy
1984 Anbe Odi Vaa Kaadhil Kaetadhu Oru Paatu Ilaiyaraaja
1984 Kadamai Shankar–Ganesh
1984 Vaidehi Kathirunthal Maegham Karukkayilae Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja
1985 Ketti Melam Dhaagame Undaanathe Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1984 Naalai Unathu Naal Alai Alaiyaai Pala Aasaigale Ilaiyaraaja
1985 Oru Kaidhiyin Diary Ponn Maanae Kovam Eno Ilaiyaraaja Unni Menon
1984 Pudhumai Penn Kasthoori Maane Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1985 Thiramai Indha Azhagu Deepam Shankar–Ganesh Malaysia Vasudevan
1985 Thendrale Ennai Thodu Kanmani Nee Vara Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1986 Kodai Mazhai Pala Pala Pala Kuruvi Ilaiyaraaja Shoba Chandrasekhar
1986 Mounam Kalaikirathu Maalai Neram Shankar–Ganesh Ramesh
1986 Muthal Vasantham Aarum Athu Aazhamilla Ilaiyaraaja
1986 Paru Paru Pattanam Paru Yaar Thoorigai Thandha Oviyam Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1986 Thazhuvatha Kaigal Kudumbathai Uruvakka Sonnaal Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Sailaja, B. S. Sasirekha & Saibaba
Naanoru Chinnapaathaan B. S. Sasirekha
1987 Aayusu Nooru Brahma Devan Avan T. Rajendar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1987 Oru Thayin Sabhatham Raakoli Koovaiyile T. Rajendar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1987 Veeran Veluthambi Adi Kattazahagu Maane S. A. Rajkumar Mano
1988 Atthanaiperum Uttharmarthana Pudhu Rosa Allu Kannan Latha Latha Kannan
1988 Poovukkul Boogambam Naal Varudhu Naal Varudhu Sangeetha Rajan
1989 En Thangai Madhuvin Mayakam S. A. Rajkumar Kalyan
1989 Manasukketha Maharasa Manjakulikira Pinju Kuruvikku Deva
1989 Oru Ponnu Nenacha Uthayame Uyire Nilave S. A. Rajkumar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1989 Paandi Nattu Thangam Elalam Kuyiley Elemara Veyiley Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1989 Ponmana Selvan Inimela Nalla Neramthaan Ilaiyaraaja Malaysia Vasudevan
1989 Thendral Sudum Aatthaadi Allikodi Ilaiyaraaja
1989 Vaai Kozhuppu Chandrabose
1988 Veedu Manaivi Makkal Sengallai Thookara Shankar–Ganesh Malaysia Vasudevan
1990 60 Naal 60 Nimidam 6 Undhan Kannukul KannanLatha Mano
1990 Arangetra Velai Aagaya Vennilave Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1990 Ethir Kaatru Raja Illa Ilaiyaraaja Arunmozhi
Ingu Irukkum
1990 Keladi Kanmani Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Kanne Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
Thanniyila Nananja (not picturized in the movie)
1990 Mallu Vetti Minor Unna Paartha Nerathula laiyaraaja Malaysia Vasudevan
Adi Matthalam Malaysia Vasudevan & K. S. Chithra
Chinna Mani K. J. Yesudas & K. S. Chithra
1990 Palaivana Paravaigal Muthu Sambaa Ilaiyaraaja Malaysia Vasudevan
1990 Pulan Visaranai Kuyiley Kuyiley Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1991 Anbu Sangili Mandhira Punnagai Ilaiyaraaja
1991 Ennarukil Nee Irunthal Oh Unaale Naan Ilaiyaraaja Mano
1991 Kumbakarai Thangaiah Poothu Poothu Kulunguthadi Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1991 Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum Pottu Vachcha Poove Ilayagangai S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Gogulanan
1991 Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu Aei Marikolunthu Ennammaa Krishnaveni Ilaiyaraaja K. S. Chithra
1991 Thanthu Vitten Ennai Muthamma Muthu Muthu Ilaiyaraaja Arunmozhi
1991 En Mamanukku Nalla Manasu Megam Mazhai Thooral Sirpy S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1992 Puthiya Swarangal Oh Vaanamulla Kaalam Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
1992 Thambi Pondatti Kannan Vanthathaale Ilaiyaraaja
1993 Chinna Mapillai Kanmanikkul Chinna Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Minmini
1993 Enga Thambi Ithu Maanodu Mayilaadum Kaadu Ilaiyaraaja Arunmozhi
1993 Manikuyil Thaneerilea Mugam Paarkkum Ilaiyaraaja Mano
Kaadhal Nilaavey Arunmozhi
1993 Pon Vilangu Sandana Kumba Udambula Ilaiyaraaja Mano
1993 Walter Vetrivel Poongaatru Inge Vandhu Ilaiyaraaja Mano
1994 Mahanadhi Sri Ranga Ranganathanin Ilaiyaraaja S P Balasubrahmanyam & Mahanadhi Shobana
1994 Mettupatti Mirasu Mangalam Mangalame M. S. Sriraj K. J. Yesudas & K. S. Chithra
1994 Periya Marudhu Singaarama Nalla Ilaiyaraaja
1994 Pudhupatti Ponnuthayi Ooradangum Samathile Ilaiyaraaja Swarnalatha
1994 Sevatha Ponnu Chittiraiyil Thirumanam Deva S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1994 Sevvanthi Vasa Malli Pooovu Ilaiyaraaja
1994 Thendral Varum Theru Amma Pillaiya Ilaiyaraaja Mano
1995 Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari Ethanai Naalaa Ilaiyaraaja Mano
1995 Aanazhagan Poo Choodum Ilaiyaraaja Swarnalatha
1995 Chinna Vathiyar Atha Maga Rathiname Ilaiyaraaja Malaysia Vasudevan
1995 Paattu Padava Nil Nil Nil Badhil Sol Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja
1995 Pullakuttikaran Pothum Eduththa Jenmamae Deva Arunmozhi
1995 Nandhavana Theru Velli Nilave Velli Nilave Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1997 Abhimanyu Thai Unakku Deva
1997 Arasiyal Vaa Sagi Vaa Sagi Vidyasagar Harish Raghavendra
1997 Pudhayal Ochamma Ochamma Vidyasagar S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Unni Menon
1997 Sishya Yaro Azhaithadhu Deva Hariharan
2000 Karuvelam Pookkal Ei Poothathadi Saathi Malli Poovu Ilaiyaraaja
2005 Sivakasi Edhu Enna Srikanth Deva Harish Raghavendra
2005 Thirupaachi Kannum Kannumthan Serndhaachu Mani Sharma Harish Raghavendra & Premji Amaren

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Cinema Plus / Columns : My first break — Uma Ramanan". The Hindu. 10 October 2008. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Uma Ramanan: Remembering Uma Ramanan From her love story with hubby AV Ramanan to her musical legacy". Times of India. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Thirty years and going strong". The Hindu. 9 January 2004. Archived from the original on 28 July 2004. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  4. ^ Mint (2 May 2024). "Singer Uma Ramanan passes away at 72". Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b Kausalya Santhanam (for The Hindu). "Bio". Tfmpage.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
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