# Uma Ramanan

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. Ramanan came from the Tamil Nadu state of India.

## Personal life and background

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

## Career
### Playback singing

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. She has also sung for other music directors namely Vidyasagar, Deva and Mani Sharma.

### Professional rapport with Ilayaraja

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.
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

| 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 |
| 1986 | Thazhuvatha Kaigal | Naanoru Chinnapaathaan | Ilaiyaraaja | 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 |
| 1990 | Ethir Kaatru | Ingu Irukkum | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1990 | Keladi Kanmani | Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Kanne | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas |
| 1990 | Keladi Kanmani | Thanniyila Nananja (not picturized in the movie) | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1990 | Mallu Vetti Minor | Unna Paartha Nerathula | laiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1990 | Mallu Vetti Minor | Adi Matthalam | laiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan & K. S. Chithra |
| 1990 | Mallu Vetti Minor | Chinna Mani | laiyaraaja | 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 |
| 1993 | Manikuyil | Kaadhal Nilaavey | Ilaiyaraaja | 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 |