Meesu Krishna Iyer was born in Kallal in Ramnad district. "Meesu was the family name given to them and his Mudhra in the songs was `Meesu Krishna,'" Ranganathan said. He has composed songs on Sadasiva Brahmendral, Lord Muruga, Siva and Ambal. All his songs were given to his close friend, Alathur Venkatesa Iyer, to be tuned.