Playback singing

During Uma's engagement with Ramanan's stage shows, noted producer — cameraman, Janakiraman offered both of them a duet in his 1976 released Hindi film Play Boy. The same pair got an offer to sing for the Tamil film Shri Krishna Leela in 1977 directed by A. P. Nagarajan and one of the last assignments of composer S. V. Venkatraman. In 1980, she sang for the A. V. Ramanan composed film Neerottam. However, it was "Poongathave Thaal Thirava" song for the film Nizhalgal released in the same year and composed by Ilayaraja that brought her to the front running singers list. It gave her a big career break and she went on to record more than 100 songs with Ilayaraja alone.^[1] She has also sung for other music directors namely Vidyasagar, Deva and Mani Sharma.

Professional Rapport with Ilayaraja

Uma Ramanan along with some of her contemporaries is considered to be one of the rare finds of Ilayaraja in his career. She has recorded some of her career best songs under the music composition of Ilayaraja.^[3]

Some of her major hits with Ilayaraja include :

• 1980 – "Poongathave Thaal Thirava" (Nizhalgal)
• 1980 – "Aasai Raaja Aariroe" (Moodu Pani)
• 1981 – "Aanada Raagam" (Panneer Pushpangal)
• 1981 – "Manjal Veyyil" (Nandu)
• 1981 – "Amudhae Thamizhae" (Kovil Pura)
• 1981 – "Vaanamae Mazhai Maegamae" (Madhu Malar)
• 1981 – "Daaham Edukira Naeram" (Enakaaga Kaathiru)
• 1981 – "Palli Araikkul" (Baala Naagammaa)
• 1982 – "Bhoopalam Isaikkum" (Thooral Ninnu Pochchu)
• 1983 – "Sevvandhi Pookalil" (Mella Paesungal)
• 1983 – "Sevvarrali Thotathilae" (Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate)
• 1983 – "Aathaadi Adhisayam" (Manavi Sollae Mandhiram)
• 1984 – "Kasthuri Maane" (Pudhumai Penn)
• 1984 – "Kaadhil Kaetadhu Oru Paatu" (Anbae Odi Vaa)
• 1984 – "Maegham Karukkayilae" (Vaidehi Kaathirunthaal)
• 1985 – "Kanmani Nee Vara" (Thendrale Ennai Thodu)
• 1985 – "Ponn Maanae" (Oru Kaidhiyin Diary)
• 1986 – "Yaar Thoorigai" (Paaru Paaru Pattinam Paaru)
• 1990 – "Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Kanne" (Keladi Kanmani)
• 1990 – "Aagaya Vennilave" (Arangetra Velai)
• 1990 – "Unna Paartha Nerathula" (Mallu Vetti Minor)
• 1994 – "Ooradangum Samathile" (Pudhupatti Ponnuthayi)
• 1994 – "Sri Ranga Ranganathanin" (Mahanadi)
• 1995 – "Nil Nil Nil Badhil Sol" (Pattu Paadava)
• 1995 – "Velli Nilave" ("Nandhavana Theru")
• 1995 – "Poochudum punnivaname" ("Aanazhagan")