[2] She was nicknamed "Baddi Bangaramma" by audiences, after the popular 1984 film of the same name, in which she portrayed a moneylender.
[2] She initially worked as a classical musician, before transitioning to amateur theatre during the 1970s.
[2] Uma Shivakumar made her film debut in Vamsha Vriksha, a 1971 feature directed by B. V. Karanth and Girish Karnad.
[2] She appeared in films like Shravana Banthu, College Ranga, Nodi Swamy Navirodu Heege etc.
[3] She won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Chandanada Gombe in 1979.