Minister for Women and Child Development Government of Karnataka
In office 20 May 2013 – 15 May 2018
Preceded by
Kalakappa G. Bandi
Succeeded by
Jayamala
Minister for Kannada and Culture Government of Karnataka
In office 20 May 2013 – 15 May 2018
Preceded by
Govind M. Karjol
Succeeded by
Jayamala
Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly
In office 17 May 2013 – 15 May 2018
Preceded by
Siddu Savadi
Succeeded by
Siddu Savadi
Constituency
Terdal
Personal details
Born
Umashree
(1957-05-10) 10 May 1957 (age 67) Nonavinakere, Tiptur taluk, Tumakuru district, Karnataka, India
Political party
Indian National Congress
Profession
Actor (1978–present) Politician (2013–present)
Umashree (born 10 May 1957) is an Indian actress and politician. She appears in Kannada cinema, particularly in character roles and supporting roles. She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role as Gulabi in the 2008 Kannada film Gulabi Talkies.[1]
In 2013, Umashree became a Member of the Legislative Assembly[2] in Karnataka in the government of Siddaramaiah where she was the minister for women and child development,[3] empowerment of the differently abled and senior citizens, Kannada language and culture.[4]
Personal life
[edit]
Umashree was born into the Devanga family.[5][6] She has two children, a daughter named Gayathri, who is a dentist, and a son named Vijayakumar, an advocate, she raised them as a single mother.
Public office
[edit]
Umashree participates in positive social activities such as supporting rural and disadvantaged women. She performs on stage in rural villages to highlight their needs. Her election in 2013 as the member for Terdal constituency (Congress Party) allowed Umashree to continue her work. Umashree is Minister for Women and Child Development, Kannada and Culture.
Stage work
[edit]
Umashree has experience in village, amateur, mythological and professional drama. Her directors have included Fritz Bennewitz, B.V. Karanth, Girish Karnad, C. G. Krishnaswamy, R. Nagesh, and T.S. Nagabharana. She is a member of Rangasampada amateur theatre group of Bangalore.
Film work
[edit]
Umashree began her movie career in 1984 in a supporting role in Anubhava with Kashinath. But before that she was seen in a 1980 Kannada film Bangarada Jinke directed by T S Nagabharana.
However, it typecast her in comedy roles with a degree of innuendo. She worked with the actor N. S. Rao and later with Dinesh, Dwarakish, Mysore lokesh, Sihikahi chandru, Ramesh bhat, Mukhyamantri Chandru, Doddanna and Karibasavaiah. Her directors included S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu, Bhargava, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, Perala, K V Raju, Vijay, Dorai Bhagavan, Dwairakish, D Rajendra babu, Dinesh Babu, V Ravichandran, Puri Jagannath and Yograj Bhat.
Television work
[edit]
Nondavara Haadu, a documentary about leprosy directed by T. S. Ranga for Doordarshan.
Hattye, a telefilm directed by H. Girijamma for Doordarshan.
Musanje, a serial directed by T. S. Nagabarana for Udaya TV.
Musanje Katha Prasanga, a serial directed by Prakash Belawadi for ETv.
Kicchu, a serial directed by Chaitanya for ETv.
Amma Ninagagi for ETv.
Arathigobba Kirthigobba for Star Suvarna.
Chinnara Chilipili for Udaya TV.
Puttakkana Makkalu for Zee Kannada
Partial filmography
[edit]
Bangarada Jinke (1980)...Asha's friend
Anubhava (1984)
Amrutha Ghalige (1984)
Bidugadeya Bedi (1985)
Naanu Nanna Hendthi (1985)
Swabhimana (1985)
Maneye Manthralaya (1986)
Bete (1986)
27 Mavalli Circle (1986)
Asambhava (1986)
Ee Bandha Anubandha (1987)
Jayasimha (1987)
Olavina Udugore (1987)
Sowbhagya Lakshmi (1987)
Digvijaya (1987)...Shivi
Shanthi Nivasa (1987)
Onde Goodina Hakkigalu (1988)
Ramanna Shamanna (1988)
Krishna Rukmini (1988)
Balondu Bhavageethe (1988)
Anjada Gandu (1988)
Jana Nayaka (1988)
Ranadheera (1988)
Mathru Vathsalya (1988)...Shanti
Hrudaya Geethe (1989)
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar (1989)
Ondagi Balu (1989)
Onti Salaga (1989)
Poli Huduga (1989)
Doctor Krishna (1989)
Golmaal Radhakrishna (1990)...Janaki
Mruthyunjaya (1990)
Nigooda Rahasya (1990)
Rani Maharani (1990)
Nammoora Hammera (1990)
Ashoka Chakra (1990)...Alamelu
Bangaradantha Maga (1991)
Golmaal Part 2 (1991)...Janaki
Ranachandi (1991)
Gruhapravesha (1991)
Kollur Kala (1991)
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare (1991)
Sriramachandra (1992)
Shivanaga (1992)
Mannina Doni (1992)...Meenakshi
Malashree Mamashree (1992)
Sangya Balya (1992)
Mysore Jaana (1992)...Ganga
Server Somanna (1993)
Prema Samaram (1993) Telugu film
Kollura Sri Mookambika (1993)
Bhagavan Sri Saibaba (1993)...Sakku
Kotreshi Kanasu (1994)
Jaana (1994)
Chinna (1994)
Karulina Koogu (1994)
Odahuttidavaru (1994)...Kamakshi
Putnanja (1995)
Himapatha (1995)
Thumbida Mane (1995)
Jeevanadhi (1996)
Sipayi (1996)
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata (1996)
Aadithya (1996)
Dhani (1996)
Muddina Kanmani (1997)
Thayavva (1997)
Mommaga (1997)
Cheluva (1997)
Kalavida (1997)
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda (1997)
Preethsod Thappa (1998)
Viralukketha Veekkam (1999)
O Premave (1999)
Chora Chittha Chora (1999)
Shabdavedhi (2000)
Krishna Leele (2000)
Yaarige Saluthe Sambala (2000)
Nan Hendthi Chennagidale (2000)
Diggajaru (2001)
Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu (2001) as Rukmini
Ellara Mane Dosenu (2001)
Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu (2001) as Muniyamma
Simhadriya Simha (2002)
Thuntata (2002) as "Lingo leela"
Chandu (2002)
Nanjundi (2003)
Abhi (2003)
Laali Haadu (2003)
Neenandre Ishta (2003)
Namma Preethiya Ramu (2003)
Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu (2003) as Jayamma
Mani (2003)
Ajju (2004)
Ranga SSLC (2004) as Paaru
Malla (2004)
Monalisa (2004)
Veeru (2005)
Gopi (2006)
Chellata (2006)
Neelakanta (2006)
Suntaragaali (2006)
Parodi (2007)
Ekadantha (2007) as Sheela devi
Gulabi Talkies (2008)
Mast Maja Maadi (2008)
Vasanthakala (2008)
Venkata in Sankata (2009)
Gilli (2009)
Krishnan Love Story (2010)
Kanasemba Kudureyaneri (2010)
Vaare Vah (2010)
Prema Chandrama (2011)
Swayam Krushi (2011)
Ujwadu (2011)
Rajadhani (2011)
Alemari (2012)
Bheema Theeradalli (2012)
Sangolli Rayanna (2012)
Kalpana (2012)
Rambo (2012)
Super Shastri (2012)
Kalavu (2013)
Paraari (2013)
Ambareesha (2014)
Love You Alia (2015)
Rathnan Prapancha (2021) as Saroja
Vedha (2022) as Shankri
Kaasina Sara (2023)
Awards
[edit]
2004 - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Film, Mani
2008 - National Film Award for Best Actress for the Film, Gulabi Talkies ( 55th National Film Awards).
2020-21 - South Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress for Rathnan Prapancha