In the story of Singapore’s progress, there are shining individuals who seamlessly merge intellect, passion, and service into a lifelong mission. Among them stands Dr Uma Rajan, a remarkable woman whose life embodies resilience, dedication, and the power of balancing multiple worlds with grace. She is a doctor by profession, an artist by soul, and a community leader by heart—a rare combination that makes her an icon of inspiration not only for Singapore but for women and professionals worldwide.
Early Roots of Uma Rajan: A Childhood of Arts and Academia
Born in 1940 into a family that celebrated both medicine and the arts, Dr Uma Rajan was destined to inherit the best of both worlds. Her father was a doctor, her mother a gifted violinist, while her siblings pursued medicine, teaching, and music. Surrounded by this blend of intellect and creativity, young Uma discovered her natural calling in both healthcare and the performing arts.
At the tender age of six, she gave her first solo public dance performance at Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Singapore. By nine, she was sent to Madras (today’s Chennai) to receive a convent education and rigorous training in Bharatanatyam and classical Indian music. After years of discipline and practice, she completed her Arangetram in 1954—a debut solo performance that spanned three and a half hours, cementing her place as a promising dancer.
Returning to Singapore at age fifteen, she continued her studies, eventually enrolling in the University of Singapore (now NUS), where she qualified as a doctor in 1965. This marked the beginning of her professional journey in medicine, even as she nurtured her deep love for arts and culture.
A Distinguished Career in Healthcare
The professional life of Dr Uma Rajan was marked by innovation, compassion, and leadership. Specializing in Public Health and Community Medicine in 1971, she quickly rose to prominence. As the Director of School Health Service, she streamlined health screening programmes, established clinics for school children, and spearheaded pioneering research on issues like childhood obesity, myopia, and scoliosis.
Her initiatives not only improved student healthcare but also modernized it. She introduced the School Health Booklet, which became a national milestone in the 1980s. This innovation was so impactful that even Singapore’s Prime Minister lauded her contribution during the 2014 National Day Rally.
Later, as Director of Elder Care, she collaborated with charities to establish nursing homes and day-care centres, ensuring the dignity and well-being of Singapore’s ageing population. Even after retiring from the Ministry of Health in 2000, she continued to serve as Executive Director of a Buddhist nursing home, before stepping into consultancy.
Her approach to healthcare was holistic—she integrated elements of arts and therapy into medicine, believing in the healing power of music and dance. This philosophy made her stand out as a doctor who not only treated the body but also understood the soul.
Uma Rajan: Passion for Arts and Culture
Even while building a career in medicine, Dr Uma Rajan never abandoned her first love—the arts. Her journey as a performer, teacher, and promoter of culture spanned decades. She performed in Singapore and abroad, and later, when health challenges restricted her from dancing, she transitioned into curating and presenting Indian classical performances.
In 1991, she became one of the first 15 charter members of the National Arts Council (NAC). She went on to chair and organize the Festival of Asian Performing Arts (FAPA) in 1993, 1995, and 1997. These festivals brought performers from across Asia to Singapore, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and enriching the nation’s artistic identity.
To this day, she remains a respected advisor to arts councils and cultural organizations, sitting on various panels, including the Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award Selection Committee. Through her service, she has elevated Singapore’s standing as a hub for performing arts.
Writing, Publishing, and Charity
Never one to rest on her laurels, Dr Uma Rajan expanded her creative expressions into writing and publishing. She authored A Life for Others, a biography of Buddhist nun Venerable Ho Yuen Hoe, which highlighted the power of compassion and spiritual resilience.
She also compiled the award-winning celebrity cookbook Spice Potpourri in 2011, featuring recipes of 16 personalities. The book not only celebrated culinary traditions but also raised funds for the President’s Challenge and SINDA. This project earned international recognition, winning the World Gourmand Awards for Best Indian Cuisine and Best Charity Cookbook.
Family, Resilience, and Grace
Behind her professional and artistic success lies a story of personal resilience. Married in 1965 to an airline professional, Dr Uma Rajan faced tragedy in 1977 when she lost her husband unexpectedly. Left to raise her two young children—Rekha, who later became a doctor, and Sanjiv, now a lawyer—she displayed immense courage in balancing her roles as a single mother, professional, and community leader.
Today, she is a proud grandmother to Taran and Misha, cherishing family life as deeply as she treasures her service to society.
Awards, Recognition, and Legacy
Over the decades, Dr Uma Rajan has received more than 50 awards for her contributions to healthcare, arts, and community service. Among these are the Public Service Star Award (BBM) in 2011 and the Community Service Champion Award in 2015.
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