Uma Devi K | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Uma Devi 3 September 1983 |
| Pen name | Munaivar |
| Occupation |
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Uma Devi (also credited as Umadevi or Uma Devi Kuppan) 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).
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]
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]
| Year | Film | Music Director | Songs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Madras | Santhosh Narayanan | "Naan Nee" [6] |
| 2015 | Innimey Ippadithaan | Thaman | "Azhaga Aanazhaga" |
| Maya | Ron Yohann | "Naanae Varuvaen" | |
| 2016 | Kabali | Santhosh Narayanan | "Maya Nadhi", "Veera Thurandhara" |
| 2017 | Adhe Kangal | Ghibran | "Idho Thaanaagave" |
| Aramm | G.V. Prakash | "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" | |
| 2020 | Ponmagal Vandhal | Govind Vasantha | "Kalaigiradhey Kanave", "Vaan Thooralgal", "Vaanamani Naan" |
| Pattas | Vivek-Mervin | "Pudhu Suriyan" | |
| 2021 | Navarasa (web series) | Justin Prabhakaran | "Kannunjal" |
| Kadaseela Biriyani | Neil Sebastian | "Aarariro" | |
| Sangathalaivan | Robert Sargunam | "Pudhu Vidha", "Porattam Illamal" | |
| Kuthiraivaal | Martian Visser | "Pogum Vazhigal", "Unnaivandhu Adaiyava" | |
| Velan | Gopi Sundar | "Ennai Aalum Pennilave" | |
| Annabelle Sethupathi | Krishna Kishor | "Vaanil Pogum Megham" | |
| 2022 | Anel Meley Pani Thuli | Santhosh Narayanan | "Yedhu Naan Inge" |
| Kathir | Prashant Pillai | "Naandhaana Naan Needhaana", "Naan Pookalaalae Unnai" | |
| 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" |