Sankara Sivam, the son of Ramanathapuram Chitsabhai Servai and Pappammal was in the direct lineage of Tyagaraja through Manambuchavadi Venkatasubbayyar, T S Sabhesa Iyer, Sivasamban and Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavatar, under whom he had his musical training for over a decade. A highly respected artiste, he was versatile in vocal, violin, vina and jalatarangam. He was also acclaimed as a top notch teacher, having trained the likes of his brother C S Murugabhoopati, Ramnad Krishnan, Easwaran, Raghavan and T N Seshagopalan. He served as the Principal of Sri Sadguru Samajam, Madurai for several years and was also part of the Music Academy's Experts Committee.