Uma Shivakumar
Uma Shivakumar (c. 1941 – June 25, 2013) was an Indian film and theater character actress, who career included role in more than 170 Kannada language films and more than 30 plays.[1] She was nicknamed "Baddi Bangaramma" by audiences, after the popular 1984 film of the same name, in which she portrayed a money lender.[1][2]
Uma was born in Bangalore.[1] She initially worked as a classical musician, before transitioning to amateur theater during the 1970s.[1] She appeared in more than 30 plays and theater productions, according to Sreenivas G. Kappanna, who called her " an elder sister of theatre."[1] Her most famous role included the satirical play, Muhammad bin Tughluq, in which she played the title character, Tughluq's stepmother.[1]
She made her film debut in Vamsha Vriksha, a 1971 feature directed by B. V. Karanth and Girish Karnad.[1] Her second film role was in the 1973 Kannada black-and-white film, Kaadu, which was also directed by Girish Karnad.[1] Uma appeared in small films prior to 1973. Her first commercial film was Kesarina Kamala, released in 1973.[1]
Uma appeared in more than 170 Kannada films, many released in the 1970s and 1980s.[2] She won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Chandanada Gombe in 1979.[2]
She also worked for the Department of Information and Department of Tourism, along with other Kanada actors and writers including Lokesh, C.R. Simha, B. R. Nagesh, and Sreenivas G. Kappanna.[1] Uma later owned and operated a Chamrajpet beauty and hair salon, "Baddi Bangaramma Beauty Parlour," where she worked during her later life.[1]
Uma Shivakumar died from a long illness at her home Chamrajpet, Bangalore, on June 25, 2013, at the age of 71.[1][2]