Celebrated as the first female comedian in Indian cinema, Uma Devi aka TUN TUN was not only a legendary actress but also an accomplished singer. She is known for iconic songs like “Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon,” “Dil Ko Laga Ke Humne,” “Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom Jhoom Khushi Mein Jhoom,” and many more.
Early Life and Struggle
Uma Devi was born on July 11, 1923, in the small village of Alipur near Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. Her early life was plagued by significant tragedies and extraordinary hardships. A land dispute between her relatives claimed the lives of her parents and older brother. Uma was left alone and in extreme poverty during her childhood and teen years. At the time, she lived with her relatives and worked as domestic help.
Later, she moved to Delhi, where she met an Excise Duty Inspector, Akhtar Abbas Kazi. Kazi helped him secure a job and also inspired her to continue singing. During the partition, Mr. Kazi moved to Pakistan, and Uma, at the age of 23, decided to go to Bombay.
Uma Devi in Bombay
She arrived in Bombay without any support or a place to live, but only with her courage as her companion. She goes to legendary musician Naushad Saab’s house and knocks. When Naushad asked her the reason to come, she boldly said, I have come to be a singer. I can sing, and if you did not give me a chance, I would throw herself in the ocean. Naushad was taken aback by her confidence and hired her after an audition.
Uma Devi made her debut as a singer in Rafiq Rizvi’s Haqdar (1946). Her first song was “Ek Rang Mein Sab Rang Jaate Hain” under the music direction of Naushad’s assistant Mohammad Shafi. Her breakthrough came with A.R. Kardar’s social drama Dard (1947), where she sang the classic “Afsana likh Rahi Hoon,” which made her a star singer. She also sang songs like “Yeh Kaun Chala Meri Aankhon Mein Samakar,” “Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom Jhoom Khushi Mein Jhoom,” and “Betab Hai Dil Dard Mohabbat Ke Asar Se” which was a duet with superstar Suraiya.
Uma Devi – The Singing Sensation
Besides the success, Uma Devi also got lucky on the personal front. Her long time well-wisher, Akhtar Abbas Kazi, decided to leave Pakistan, to be with her. He moved to Bombay and married to her. The couple had four children and shared a life together until Kazi’s passing in 1992.
Uma Devi’s career as a singer went well with films like Natak (1947), Anjuman (1947), Anokhi Ada (1948), Chandralekha (1948), Heer Ranjha (1948), Kajal (1948), Pugree (1948), Satyanarayan (1948), Bhakta Pundlik (1949), Bhikhari (1949), Chandni Raat (1949), Dhoomketu (1949), Dillagi (1949), Ek Teri Nishani (1949), Hamari Kismat (1949), Gharana (1949), Jio Raja (1949), Pyar Ki Raat (1949), Rooplekha (1949), Aakhri Paigham (1949), Saudamini (1950), Saudamini (1951), Goonj (1952), Usha Kiran (1952), Raj Mahal (1953), Rangeen Raten (1956), Taksaal (1956), Naya Zamana (1957), and many more.
Some of her most famous songs include “Dil Ko Laga Ke Humne,” “Kaahe Jiya Dole” (Anokhi Ada), “Meri Pyari Patang Chali Baadal Ke Sang (Dillagi),” “Dilwale Jal Jal Kar Hi Mar Jaana (Natak),” “Ek Rang Mein Sab Rang Jaate Hain (Haqdar),” “Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni (Naya Zamana),” “Chandni Raat Hai Haay Kya Baat Ha (Chandni Raat),” “Manbhavan Sawan Aaya (Chandralekha),” and many more.
Birth Of Tun Tun
Although she came with a bang into music scene, her singing career was long. As the industry evolved, new voices emerged. Her raw and untrained voice was no match for singers like Lata, Asha, Geeta, and Shamshad Begum. As her popularity as a singer declined, she again went to her mentor, Naushad. He advised her to focus on acting and promised to help her gettin roles. She made her acting debut with Sudhir Phadke’s “Jai Bhim” in 1949 with small role. Her proper debut came with Dilip Kumar’s starrer film Babul (1950) where Naushad was giving music.
Dilip Kumar, who was close with both Naushad Saab and Uma Devi, renamed her “Tun Tun” to suit her bubbly personality. After the success of Babul, she went on to do many films like “Dholak (1951),” “Deedar (1951),” “Baaz (1953),” “Gul Bahar (1954),” “Aar-Paar (1954),” “Uran Khatola (1955),” “Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955),” “Hatimtai Ki Beti (1955),” “Shree 420 (1955),” “Raj Hath (1956),” “Pocketmaar (1956),” “Jagte Raho (1956),” “C.I.D. (1956),” “Mirza Sahiban (1957),” “Pyaasa (1957),” “Solva Saal (1958),” “Phir Subah Hogi (1958),” “Lajwanti (1958),” and many more.
The First Female Comedien
Tun Tun appeared alongside some of the most prominent actors of the time. She also worked with top comedy actors such as Bhagwan Dada, Agha, Sunder, Mukri, Dhumal, Johnny Walker, and Keshto Mukherjee. Tun Tun had an impeccable comic timing which garnerded her a huge fan following. She also had the ability to make people laugh through physical comedy. In the 1960s and 1970s, she was a permanent part of every Hindi film. Despite her talent and charisma, she was often used as comic relief, and offered caricaturish roles. Almost all her gags were based on her weight and eating habits. The jokes were maybe funny for the time but in introspective are very problamatic.
Some famous films of Tun Tun in the 60s include that era include Qaidi No. 911 (1959), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Kohinoor (1960), Ek Phool Char Kaante (1960), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), Bombai Ka Babu (1960), Shama (1961), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1961), Gunga Jumna (1961), Professor (1961), Son of India (1961), China Town (1962), Dilli Ka Thug (1962), Half Ticket (1962), Godaan (1963), Bluff Master (1963), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), Rajkumar (1964), Kaajal (1965), Phool Aur Patthar (1965), Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966), Kanyadaan (1968), Do Raaste (1969), and many more.
She continue to act in film troughout 70s and 80s. Some of her films includ Geet (1970), Sharafat (1970), Samadhi (1972), Lalkar (1972), Kuchhe Dhaage (1973), Hera Pheri (1976), Nagin (1976), Heeralal Pannalal(1976), Saajan Ki Saheli (1981), Namak Halaal (1982), Disco Dancer (1982), Coolie (1983), and many more.
Later Years and Death
In her career spanning five decades, Tun Tun acted in about 198 films, her last film being “Talaashi” in 1995, after which she retired from films.
She died on November 23, 2003, in Andheri, Mumbai, after a prolonged illness at the age of 80. She was survived by her four children and four grandchildren.
Uma Devi on IMDB
