Born on October 13, 1924 into a progressive family, she was married at 14 to communist activist Moturu Hanumantha Rao. The couple faced financial hardships and lost two of their children. Udayam worked as daily wage labourer even as she was active in the movement to support her family. In 1948, during second Andhra Mahila Sangam meet, Udayam was arrested for opposing police banishment and sent to Nandigama jail along with 70 other women protesters. After Independence, she worked as a medical representative to support her family.
