Born in Anjukandy in Kannur district on 10 March 1933, as the son of A. T. Moideen Kunhi and Sainaba, Ummer made his debut in the 1967 film Thalirukkal.
In the 1970s, Ummer teamed up with lyricist Bichu Thirumala, producing numerous evergreen songs.
[2] The melancholic song "Thushaara bindhukkale" from the same movie earned S. Janaki the Kerala State Film Award for the best female singer.
He composed many popular songs including 'Oru mayil peeliyay njan', 'Neela jalashayathil', 'Marivill panthalitta', 'Devi nin chiriyil', 'Vakappoo maram choodum', 'Chemapakappoonkavanathile', 'Ninnepunaran neettiya kaikalil', 'Vrishchika rathri than', 'Pottikkaranjukondomane', 'Thushara bindukkale', 'Unni aarariro' and 'Oru nimisham tharoo'.
He died at his home in Chennai aged 68 on 18 October 2001, after suffering from Parkinson's disease and lung cancer.