Maharajapuram Santhanam, was born in 1928 at Sirunagar village, in Thanjavur Dist, to Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, (one of the greatest exponents of carnatic music) and Visalakshi.
Santahanam had his initial training under Melattur Sama Dikshithar and under his father.

Maharajapuram Santhanam, a beneficiary of the Umayalpuram tradition, kept aloft the enduring values which carnatic music stands for.

His music had a unique pattern and an unparalleled mix of Lakshana and Lakshyagnana. His mellow presentation, the pieces and rendition of ragas, neravals and swaras had a pleasant style of classicism satisfying common and the elite listeners.

Santhanam had an unique style of building up a raga. Vallinam, mellinam of the voice, Karvais and brikhas,meandering and spiriting sangathis were purveyed in such a mix that the hearers felt enthralled.

Santhanam contributed a lot to the music world by composing many songs and thillanas in different ragas like Charukesi, Sivaranjani, Basant Bahar, Revathi, Hindolam, Hamsanandhi, Kanada.