She was nicknamed "Baddi Bangaramma" by audiences, after the popular 1984 film of the same name, in which she portrayed a moneylender. She initially worked as a classical musician, before transitioning to amateur theatre during the 1970s. She appeared in more than 30 plays and theatre productions, according to Sreenivas G. Kappanna, who called her " an elder sister of theatre." Her most famous role included the satirical play, Muhammad bin Tughluq, in which she played the title character, Tughluq"s stepmother.
Uma Shivakumar made her film debut in Vamsha Vriksha, a 1971 feature directed by B. V. Karanth and Girish Karnad.
Her second film role was in the 1973 Kannada black-and-white film, Kaadu, which was also directed by Girish Karnad. Uma appeared in small films prior to 1973.
Her first commercial film was Kesarina Kamala, released in 1973. Uma appeared in more than 170 Kannada films, many released in the 1970s and 1980s.
She also worked for the Department of Information and Department of Tourism, along with other Kanada actors and writers including Lokesh, C.R. Simha, B. R. Nagesh, and Sreenivas G. Kappanna.
Uma later owned and operated a Chamrajpet beauty and hair salon, "Baddi Bangaramma Beauty Parlour," where she worked during her later life. On 25 June 2013, at the age of 71, Uma Shivakumar died from diabetic complications and age related problems at her residence in Chamrajpet, Bangalore.