Born in Athipakkam village in Thiruvannamalai district, Uma Devi belongs to a family of creative professionals. Her parents are Koothu artists, her brother, Meghanathan, a poet. She cites the latter’s writings as inspiration for her own early attempts at poetry. Uma wrote her first poem when she was in class 9 and participated in poetry competitions through school and college. She then moved to Chennai to pursue her Master’s degree, and in 2006, published her first collection of poems, Thisaigalai Parugiyaval. With a PhD from the International Institute of Tamil Studies, she entered the film industry with Naan Nee in Madras, directed by Pa Ranjith. “Ranjith read my first poetry collection and liked both the words and the politics behind them. He especially liked the brand of feminism I talk about in that particular book. At a time when the Western brand of feminism was the staple of discussions, I brought in Avvaiyar, Manimegalai, Kannagi. Our culture and feminist ideals struck a chord with readers as well as Ranjith.” Uma Devi has since written for multiple films, such as Inime Ippadithaan, Maaya, Kabali, Adhe Kangal, Thappu Thanda, Kattapaava Kaanom, Magalir Mattum, Theeran Adhigaram Ondru, and Aramm. Most recently, she wrote the lyrics for the song Kannama in Rajinikanth’s Kaala. The song is a chartbuster and a testament to her growing prowess and the magic of her writing. Working as an assistant professor at Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai, she says, “I have received a lot of awards, but the everyday recognition that I receive from people is something else.”