| Birth date | 3 September 1983 |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Uma Devi |
| Pseudonym | Munaivar |
| Birth place | Vandavasi, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Poet · Lyricist · Writer · Assistant Professor · Doctorate (Ph.D) |
Uma Devi (also credited as Umadevi or Uma Devi K) is an Indian poet,[1] lyricist, writer and professor who works predominantly in the Tamil film industry.[2]
She gained wider recognition for her lyrics in films such as Kabali (2016), Aramm (2017), 96 (2018), Raatchasan (2018), NGK (2019), Kaala (2018), Blue Star (2024) and Thangalaan (2025). She has won Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Tamil for the song "Yaaro Ivan Yaaro" from Meiyazhagan.
Early life
Uma Devi was born in Athipakkam village in Vandavasi taluk of Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. She completed her schooling and undergraduate studies in her hometown and later became a professor and research scholar, with interests that include Dalit identity, feminism, Buddhism and social justice.
She belongs to a family with a strong interest in literature and public issues, and her early reading and writing exposed her to Tamil poetry and political thought, which later influenced her song-writing.[3]
Career
Uma Devi initially wrote poems and essays on Dalit identity, women’s issues, and politics before transitioning into film lyric writing. Her entry into Tamil cinema came through opportunities to write for socially conscious films, beginning with Pa Ranjith's Madras.[4] She has since worked with composers such as Santhosh Narayanan, Govind Vasantha, G. V. Prakash Kumar.
She has written lyrics for a wide range of genres, from political and mass songs to intimate romantic numbers and lullabies. In interviews, she has spoken about breaking the stereotype that women lyricists write only love songs and about bringing the voices of marginalized communities into mainstream cinema.[5]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Music Director | Songs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Madras | Santhosh Narayanan | "Naan Nee" [6] |
| 2015 | Innimey Ippadithaan | Santhosh Dhayanidhi | "Azhaga Aanazhaga" |
| Maya | Ron Yohann | "Naanae Varuvaen" | |
| Adhyan | Hari G Rajasekar | "Kadal Thaandi Vesum", "Anbe Minanjal Vanam" | |
| 2016 | Kabali | Santhosh Narayanan | "Maya Nadhi", "Veera Thurandhara" |
| 2017 | Uru | Johan Shevanesh | "Vidiyal Thedi" |
| Adangathey | G. V. Prakash | "Yaaradi Neril Thondrum" | |
| Magalir Mattum | Ghibran | "Adi Vaadi Thimiraa" | |
| Adhe Kangal | "Idho Thaanaagave" | ||
| Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru | "O Sathiye" | ||
| Aramm | "Thoranam Aayiram", "Pudhu Varalaare","Anaikum thuniyil" | ||
| Thappu Thanda | Naren Balakumar | "Mughaye Ven Mughaye", "Thadak Thadak" | |
| Kattappava Kanom | Santhosh Dhayanidhi | "Hey Penne" | |
| 2018 | 96 | Govind Vasantha | "Vasantha Kaalangal", "Thaabangale", "Iravingu Theevai" |
| Raatchasan | Ghibran | "Kaadhal Kadal Dhana" | |
| Nagesh Thiraiyarangam | Srikanth Deva | "Kadhal Nilaithane" | |
| Jarugandi | Bobo Shashi | "Yaaradi Nee" | |
| Adangathey | G.V. Prakash | "Yaaradi Neril Thondrum" | |
| Kaala | Santhosh Narayanan | "Kannamma" | |
| 2019 | NGK | Santhosh Narayanan | "Anbe Peranbe" |
| Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu | Tenma | "Nilamellam", "Irul Vaanam", "Iruchi" | |
| Nerkonda Paarvai | Yuvan Shankar Raja | "Vaanil Irul" | |
| Pancharaaksharam | K. S. Sundaramurthy | "Destiney" | |
| 2020 | Ettuthikkum Para | M. S. Sreekanth | "Vaadi Chellam" |
| Ponmagal Vandhal | Govind Vasantha | "Kalaigiradhey Kanave", "Vaan Thooralgal", "Vaanamani Naan", "Vaa pogalam" | |
| Pattas | Vivek-Mervin | "Pudhu Suriyan" | |
| God Father | Naviin Ravindren Vibin R | "Chella Kannanai" | |
| Walter | Dharmaprakash | "Kannil Vazhiyum Endhan" | |
| 2021 | Navarasa (web series) | Justin Prabhakaran | "Kannunjal" |
| Kadaseela Biriyani | Neil Sebastian & Judah Paul | "Aarariro", "Kadaseela Kadavul" | |
| Sangathalaivan | Robert Sargunam | "Pudhu Vidha", "Porattam Illamal" | |
| Kuthiraivaal | Pradeep Kumar | "Pogum Vazhigal", "Unnaivandhu Adaiyava" | |
| Velan | Gopi Sundar | "Ennai Aalum Pennilave" | |
| Annabelle Sethupathi | Krishna Kishor | "Vaanil Pogum Megham" | |
| Vellai Yaanai | Santhosh Narayanan | "Vennila" | |
| 2022 | Anel Meley Pani Thuli | Santhosh Narayanan | "Yedhu Naan Inge" |
| Kathir | Prashant Pillai | "Naandhaana Naan Needhaana", "Naan Pookalaalae Unnai" | |
| Clap | Ilayaraaja | "Unnai Keta" | |
| Koorman | Tony Britto | "Varayaadha Oviyam", "Aambal Poo Ena" | |
| Natchathiram Nagargiradhu | Tenma | "Janamey", "Perinba Kadhal", "Kadhalar" | |
| 2023 | Raththam | Kannan Narayanan | "Nee Ennai Mannipaya" |
| Farhana | Justin Prabhakaran | "Farhana", "Orr Kadhal Kanaa" | |
| Takkar | Nivas K. Prasanna | "Maragadha Maalai" | |
| 2024 | Captain Miller | G. V. Prakash | "Koranaaru (Tamil)" |
| Blue Star | Govind Vasantha | "Railin Oligal" | |
| J Baby | Tony Britto | "Nedumaram" | |
| Meiyazhagan | Govind Vasantha | "Yaaro Ivan Yaaro", "Poraen Naa Poraen" | |
| Andhagan | Santhosh Narayanan | "Kannile", "The Andhagan Anthem" | |
| Thangalaan | G.V. Prakash | "Minikki Minikki", "Aruvadai" | |
| Garudan | Yuvan Shankar Raja | "Kannil Kodi", "Iruthiyai Nee" | |
| Singapore Saloon | Vivek–Mervin | "Paal Veedhiyil" | |
| 2025 | Madraskaaran | Sam C. S. | "Yeandi" |
| Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai | Kannan Narayanan | "Theeyai" | |
| Bottle Radha | Sean Roldan | "En Vanam" | |
| Vallan | Santhosh Dhayanidhi | "Kanjaadai Poova" | |
| Thandakaaranyam | Justin Prabhakaran | "Adiye Alangaari", "Kaava Kaade" | |
| DNA | Sathyaprakash | "Vaa En Uyir Poove" | |
| 2026 | Lucky the Superstar | "Niraa Maya | |
| Carmeni Selvam | Musicloud Studio and Technologies | "Ennai En" [7] |
Awards
| Year | Awards | Host | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Mirchi Music Award | Radio Mirchi[8] | Best Upcoming Lyricist - 2014 |
| Big Tamil Melody Award | Zee Tamil & Big FM | ||
| 2017 | Tamilan Award | Puthiya Thalaimurai | Sirantha Nambikkai Natchathiram -Literature |
| Behindwoods Gold Medal | Behindwoods | Song: Mayanathi Movie: Kabali | |
| Norve – Tamilar Award | 8th NORVE Tamil Film Festival | ||
| Vikatan Aval Award | Vikatan | Top 10 Tamil Women's of the year | |
| 2018 | Devi Award | New Indian Express | Women’s Awards For Dynamism & Innovation |
| Vijay Awards | Vijay TV | Song: Thoranam Aayiram Film: Aramm | |
| 2019 | Femina Award | India Today | |
| 2025 | Black Sheep Cine Awards | Black Sheep | |
| SIIMA Awards | 13th South Indian International Movie Awards | Song: Poraen Naa Poraen Film: Meiyazhagan | |
| 2026 | Filmfare Awards South [9] | 70th Filmfare Awards South [10] | Song: Yaaro ivan yaaro Film: Meiyazhagan |
References
- ^ "கவிஞர் உமாதேவி | காலச்சுவடு பதிப்பகம் | Kalachuvadu Publications". books.kalachuvadu.com. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "'இந்த சினிமாவுக்கு நிறைய இரஞ்சித்களும், உமாதேவிகளும் வேண்டும்!'- 'கபாலி' உமாதேவி பேட்டி". Tamil.filmibeat.com. 2016.
- ^ Shekar, Anjana (2018-06-17). "I broke stereotype of women writing only love songs: 'Kaala' lyricist Uma Devi to TNM". The News Minute. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ Muralidharan, Kavitha (2022-09-15). "My Songs Speak For Themselves: Uma Devi, Who Wrote The Songs In Natchathiram Nagargiradhu". www.filmcompanion.in. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "The female Dalit voice, in Tamil verse". Firstpost. 2017-05-28. Archived 2024-06-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ Seshagiri, Sangeetha. "Karthi's 'Madras' Audio, Trailer Released". International Business Times. Archived 2014-11-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "'Ennai En' single from Samuthirakani's Carmeni Selvam is a soulful track that reflects a myriad of emotions". Cinema Express. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ^ Ethiraj College for women, Official Website. "Achievements of Prof. Uma Devi"
- ^ "Winners Of The 70th Filmfare Awards South - Tamil | Filmfare". filmfare.com. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ^ "70th Filmfare Awards South winners list: Pushpa 2, Amaran, Aadujeevitham win big; Amitabh Bachchan bags Best Supporting Actor award. See full list". The Indian Express. 2026-02-22. Retrieved 2026-02-24.