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{{short description|Indian politician and actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Umashree
| honorific suffix    = 
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1957|5|10}}
| birth_name          = Umashree
| birth_place         = Nonavinakere, [[Tiptur]] taluk, [[Tumakuru district]], [[Karnataka]], India
| office              = Member of [[Karnataka Legislative Council]]
| term_start          = 21 August 2023
| predecessor         = C. M. Lingappa
| constituency        = Nominated
| office1             = Minister for Women and Child Development<br>[[Government of Karnataka]]
| term_start1         = 20 May 2013
| term_end1           = 15 May 2018
| predecessor1        = Kalakappa G. Bandi
| successor1          = [[Jayamala]]
| office2             = Minister for Kannada and Culture<br>[[Government of Karnataka]]
| term_start2         = 20 May 2013
| term_end2           = 15 May 2018
| predecessor2        = [[Govind M. Karjol]]
| successor2          = [[Jayamala]]
| othername           = 
| party               = [[Indian National Congress]]
| office3             = Member of [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start3         = 17 May 2013
| term_end3           = 15 May 2018
| constituency3       = [[Terdal Assembly constituency|Terdal]]
| predecessor3        = Siddu Savadi
| successor3          = Siddu Savadi
| spouse              = 
| profession          = [[Actor]] {{small|(1978–present)}}<br />[[Politician]] {{small|(2013–present)}}
| image               = Umashree.jpg
}}

'''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]]''.<ref name="Sify.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/jo-misses-national-award-by-a-whisker-news-tamil-kkfr56ehcbh.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305152827/http://www.sify.com/movies/jo-misses-national-award-by-a-whisker-news-tamil-kkfr56ehcbh.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2014 |title=Jo misses National Award by a whisker! |website=[[Sify]] |date=8 September 2009 |access-date=3 December 2011}}</ref>

In 2013, Umashree became a Member of the Legislative Assembly<ref>[http://myneta.info/karnataka2013/candidate.php?candidate_id=218 "Karnataka 2013."] Myneta website, National Election Watch. Retrieved 21 February 2014.</ref> in [[Karnataka]] in the government of [[Siddaramaiah (politician)|Siddaramaiah]] where she was the minister for women and child development,<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/writers-remarks-on-umashree-draw-flak/article5668440.ece "Writer's remarks on Umashree draw flak."] ''The Hindu'' Bangelore, 9 February 2014.</ref> empowerment of the differently abled and senior citizens, [[Kannada language]] and culture.<ref>Nandakumar P. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130610110108/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130518/news-politics/article/karnataka-umashree-lone-woman-minister "Karnataka: Umashree lone woman minister."] Deccan Chronicle 18 May 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014</ref>

== Personal life ==
Umashree was born into the [[Devanga]] family.<ref>{{cite news |title=Siddharamaiah, increases Quota in Cabinet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Ahead-of-2018-polls-CM-Siddaramaiah-increases-Lingayat-quota-in-Cabinet/articleshow/52837174.cms}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Terdal Election News |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-ex-cop-bidari-pitted-against-cine-star-umashree-at-assembly-polls-1810924}}</ref> 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 ==

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 ==
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 ==

Umashree began her movie career in 1984 in  a supporting role in ''Anubhava'' with [[Kashinath (actor)|Kashinath]]. But before that she was seen in a 1980 Kannada film ''Bangarada Jinke''  directed by T S Nagabharana.

However, it [[typecasting (acting)|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,Umesh, 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 ==
* ''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==
===Kannada films===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[Bangarada Jinke]]'' (1980)...Asha's friend
* ''[[Anubhava (film)|Anubhava]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Amrutha Ghalige]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Bidugadeya Bedi]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Naanu Nanna Hendthi]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Swabhimana]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Maneye Manthralaya]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Bete (1986 film)|Bete]]'' (1986)
* ''[[27 Mavalli Circle]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Asambhava]]'' (1986)
* ''[[Ee Bandha Anubandha]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Jayasimha (1987 film)|Jayasimha]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Olavina Udugore]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Sowbhagya Lakshmi]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Digvijaya (film)|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 (film)|Jaana]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Chinna (1994 film)|Chinna]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Karulina Koogu]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Odahuttidavaru]]'' (1994)...Kamakshi
* ''[[Putnanja]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Himapatha]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Thumbida Mane]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Jeevanadhi]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Sipayi (film)|Sipayi]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Aadithya]]'' (1996)
* ''[[movie | 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 film)|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 (film)|Thuntata]]'' (2002) as "Lingo leela"
* ''[[Chandu (2002 film)|Chandu]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Nanjundi]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Abhi (2003 film)|Abhi]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Laali Haadu]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Neenandre Ishta]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Namma Preethiya Ramu]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu]]'' (2003) as Jayamma 
* ''[[Mani (Kannada film)|Mani]]'' (2003)
* ''Ajju'' (2004)
* ''[[Ranga SSLC]]'' (2004) as Paaru
* ''[[Malla (film)|Malla]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Monalisa (film)|Monalisa]]'' (2004)
* ''Veeru'' (2005)
* ''[[Gopi (2006 Kannada film)|Gopi]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Chellata (film)|Chellata]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Neelakanta (film)|Neelakanta]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Suntaragaali]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Parodi (film)|Parodi]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Ekadantha]]'' (2007) as Sheela devi
* ''[[Gulabi Talkies]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Mast Maja Maadi]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Vasanthakala]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Venkata in Sankata]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Gilli (film)|Gilli]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Krishnan Love Story]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Kanasemba Kudureyaneri]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Vaare Vah]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Prema Chandrama]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Swayam Krushi (2011 film)|Swayam Krushi]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Ujwadu]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Rajadhani (2011 film)|Rajadhani]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Alemari]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Bheema Theeradalli]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012 film)|Sangolli Rayanna]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Kalpana (2012 film)|Kalpana]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Rambo (2012 film)|Rambo]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Super Shastri]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Kalavu (2013 film)|Kalavu]]'' (2013)
* ''Paraari'' (2013)
* ''[[Ambareesha]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Love You Alia]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Rathnan Prapancha]]'' (2021) as Saroja
* ''[[Vedha (2022 film)|Vedha]]'' (2022) as Shankri
* ''[[Kaasina Sara]]'' (2023)
{{colend}}
===Tamil films===
*''[[Naan Sonnathey Sattam]]'' (1988)

== Awards ==

*[[2003–04 Karnataka State Film Awards|2004]] - [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress]] for the Film, ''[[Mani (2003 film)|Mani]]'' 
* 2008 - [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for the Film, ''[[Gulabi Talkies]]'' ( [[55th National Film Awards]]).
* [[67th Filmfare Awards South|2020-21]] - [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada|South Filmfare Award]]s for [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada|Best Supporting Actress]] for ''[[Rathnan Prapancha]]''

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Umashree}}
* {{IMDb name|1138456|Umashree}}

{{National Film Award Best Actress}}
{{Karnataka State Award for Best Actress}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]
[[Category:Actresses from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Best Actress National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Indian actor-politicians]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Indian voice actresses]]
[[Category:Indian women comedians]]
[[Category:Kannada people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Tumakuru district]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Women state cabinet ministers of India]]
[[Category:Karnataka MLAs 2013–2018]]
[[Category:Women members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Members of the Karnataka Legislative Council]]