Uma Devi (also credited as Umadevi or Uma Devi K) is an Indian poet, lyricist, writer and professor who works predominantly in the Tamil film industry.
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.
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. 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.
Filmography YearFilmMusic DirectorSongs2014MadrasSanthosh Narayanan"Naan Nee" 2015Innimey IppadithaanSanthosh Dhayanidhi"Azhaga Aanazhaga"MayaRon Yohann"Naanae Varuvaen"Adhyan Hari G Rajasekar"Kadal Thaandi Vesum", "Anbe Minanjal Vanam"2016KabaliSanthosh Narayanan"Maya Nadhi", "Veera Thurandhara"2017UruJohan Shevanesh"Vidiyal Thedi"AdangatheyG. V. Prakash"Yaaradi Neril Thondrum"Magalir MattumGhibran"Adi Vaadi Thimiraa"Adhe Kangal"Idho Thaanaagave"Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru"O Sathiye"Aramm"Thoranam Aayiram", "Pudhu Varalaare","Anaikum thuniyil"Thappu ThandaNaren Balakumar "Mughaye Ven Mughaye", "Thadak Thadak"Kattappava KanomSanthosh Dhayanidhi"Hey Penne"201896Govind Vasantha"Vasantha Kaalangal", "Thaabangale", "Iravingu Theevai"RaatchasanGhibran"Kaadhal Kadal Dhana"Nagesh ThiraiyarangamSrikanth Deva"Kadhal Nilaithane"JarugandiBobo Shashi"Yaaradi Nee"AdangatheyG.V. Prakash"Yaaradi Neril Thondrum"KaalaSanthosh Narayanan"Kannamma"2019NGKSanthosh Narayanan"Anbe Peranbe"Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi GunduTenma"Nilamellam", "Irul Vaanam", "Iruchi"Nerkonda PaarvaiYuvan Shankar Raja"Vaanil Irul"PancharaaksharamK. S. Sundaramurthy"Destiney"2020Ettuthikkum ParaM. S. Sreekanth"Vaadi Chellam"Ponmagal VandhalGovind Vasantha"Kalaigiradhey Kanave", "Vaan Thooralgal", "Vaanamani Naan", "Vaa pogalam"PattasVivek-Mervin"Pudhu Suriyan"God FatherNaviin RavindrenVibin R"Chella Kannanai"WalterDharmaprakash"Kannil Vazhiyum Endhan"2021Navarasa (web series)Justin Prabhakaran"Kannunjal"Kadaseela BiriyaniNeil Sebastian & Judah Paul"Aarariro", "Kadaseela Kadavul"SangathalaivanRobert Sargunam"Pudhu Vidha", "Porattam Illamal"KuthiraivaalPradeep Kumar"Pogum Vazhigal", "Unnaivandhu Adaiyava"VelanGopi Sundar"Ennai Aalum Pennilave"Annabelle SethupathiKrishna Kishor"Vaanil Pogum Megham"Vellai YaanaiSanthosh Narayanan"Vennila"2022Anel Meley Pani ThuliSanthosh Narayanan"Yedhu Naan Inge"KathirPrashant Pillai"Naandhaana Naan Needhaana", "Naan Pookalaalae Unnai"ClapIlayaraaja"Unnai Keta"KoormanTony Britto"Varayaadha Oviyam", "Aambal Poo Ena"Natchathiram NagargiradhuTenma"Janamey", "Perinba Kadhal", "Kadhalar"2023RaththamKannan Narayanan"Nee Ennai Mannipaya"FarhanaJustin Prabhakaran"Farhana", "Orr Kadhal Kanaa"TakkarNivas K. Prasanna"Maragadha Maalai"2024Captain MillerG. V. Prakash"Koranaaru (Tamil)"Blue StarGovind Vasantha"Railin Oligal"J BabyTony Britto"Nedumaram"MeiyazhaganGovind Vasantha"Yaaro Ivan Yaaro", "Poraen Naa Poraen"AndhaganSanthosh Narayanan"Kannile", "The Andhagan Anthem"ThangalaanG.V. Prakash "Minikki Minikki", "Aruvadai"GarudanYuvan Shankar Raja"Kannil Kodi", "Iruthiyai Nee"Singapore SaloonVivek–Mervin"Paal Veedhiyil"2025MadraskaaranSam C. S."Yeandi"Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu UdamaiKannan Narayanan"Theeyai"Bottle RadhaSean Roldan"En Vanam"VallanSanthosh Dhayanidhi"Kanjaadai Poova"ThandakaaranyamJustin Prabhakaran"Adiye Alangaari", "Kaava Kaade"DNASathyaprakash"Vaa En Uyir Poove"2026 Lucky the Superstar "Niraa MayaCarmeni Selvam Musicloud Studio and Technologies "Ennai En" Kara G. V. Prakash Kumar "Thaazham Poove"
Awards YearAwardsHostNote2015Mirchi Music Award Radio MirchiBest Upcoming Lyricist - 2014Big Tamil Melody AwardZee Tamil & Big FM2017Tamilan AwardPuthiya Thalaimurai Sirantha Nambikkai Natchathiram -LiteratureBehindwoods Gold MedalBehindwoodsSong: Mayanathi Movie: Kabali Norve – Tamilar Award 8th NORVE Tamil Film FestivalVikatan Aval Award VikatanTop 10 Tamil Women's of the year2018Devi AwardNew Indian ExpressWomen’s Awards For Dynamism & InnovationVijay AwardsVijay TVSong: Thoranam Aayiram Film: Aramm 2019Femina AwardIndia Today2025Black Sheep Cine AwardsBlack SheepSIIMA Awards13th South Indian International Movie AwardsSong: Poraen Naa Poraen Film: Meiyazhagan2026Filmfare Awards South 70th Filmfare Awards SouthSong: Yaaro ivan yaaro Film: Meiyazhagan
References