Uma Ramanan lived her life mesmerising fans with her exquisite & soulful singing

At a time when even many amateur singers show craziness to do playback singing at every given opportunity, Uma Ramanan seems to have preferred live concerts to cine playback singing. That is why she will not just be remembered for the soul-touching Tamil film songs she sang to leading musicians’ compositions, but for making her long career as a Light Music Concert Performer in the music troupe her husband had founded. She?possessed a "unique voice" that had distinct qualities, viz., clarity while singing, necessary pace, besides bearing amazing melody. She has to her credit more than 500 songs in multiple language? and more than 6,000-7,000 concerts as part of the Musiciano troupe set up by her husband A V Ramanan.. Her sudden demise has left many shocked and grieving. She?passed away at her residence on May 1, 2024. She was 72. ??

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Uma Ramanan made her debut in 1977 by singing the song 'Sreekrishna Leela' with her singer-husband, A. V. Ramanan. But it was the superb melody “Poongathave Thaal Thiravaai” in Tamil movie Nizhalgal (1980) that helped smoother?taking ?off and helped a crucial role in establishing her career. Incidentally, Poet KavipPerarasu Vairamuthu made his debut in this film superbly scripting "Idhu Oru Pon Maalai Pozhudhu" song.

Uma Ramanan went on to be part of several superhit songs in Tamil, including those composed by Ilaiyaraaja. ‘Aagaya Vennilave Tharimeethu Vanthatheno’ from?Arangetra Velai?(1990) and ‘Bhoopalam Isaikkum Poomagal Oorvalam’ from?Thooral Ninnu Pochchu?(1982) are the other most memorable songs. ? AANANDHA RAAGAM KETKUM KAALAM (Its time we hear Happier song ...) rhythmically and alluringly tuned ?by ?Ilaya Raja in Panneer Pushpangal is one of the?best melodies she has ever rendered . In this song, she has shown requisite vociferous clarity and unique pace that are essential for such sort of songs. These evergreen melodies are?still being murmered by lakhs and lakhs of Tamil music lovers.?

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It is said that her rise to this much prominence in play back singing is largely attributed to her association with Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, for whom she has performed over 100 songs. She has undergone classical music training under Pazhani Vijayalakshmi during her earlier years. ?Her first break seems to be a duet song - ‘Hai Ek Buddhu Chhora’ - she sang with AV Ramanan(in Hindi - five decades back-film?Playboy.?From then on, Uma and Ramanan performed as a duo on stage, which sparked their romance and eventual wedding. She is survived by her husband, and their son, Vignesh Ramanan, who is also a singer. She last sang a song in Thirupaachi, released in 2005.?

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May Uma Ramanan's soul rest in peace and our condolences to the family.