Uma Shivakumar, a veteran character actor, passed away on Tuesday morning at her residence in Chamarajpet here after a prolonged illness.
Popularly known as “Baddi Bangaramma”, after one of her best-known films in which she played a money-lender’s role, was a product of amateur theatre.
In her long career, Uma Shivakumar acted in over 170 films in Kannada. She worked for the Department of Information and Department of Tourism for some time, with C.R. Simha, G. Kappanna, Lokesh and R. Nagesh.
Born in Bangalore, Uma Shivakumar was initially a classical musician. Coming under the influence of amateur theatre movement in the 1970s, she acted in some of the landmark productions, including Tuglaq , where she played the role of the step-mother of Tuglaq .
According to theatre activist G. Kappanna, Uma Shivakumar acted in more than 30 plays. “We have lost an elder sister of theatre,” he said.
She entered the Kannada film industry through Vamshavriksha directed by B.V. Karanth and Girish Karnad. Her next venture was Kaadu directed by Girish Karnad. She made her debut in a commercial production through Kesarina Kamala .
She received the State best supporting actress award for her performance in Chandanada Bombe . Interestingly, Uma Shivakumar opened a beauty parlour in Chamarajpet and called it “Baddi Bangaramma Beauty Parlour”.
