His father, Charles Daniélou, was an anti-clerical Breton politician who held numerous national ministerial posts in the Third Republic.

[9] The young Daniélou studied singing under the famous Charles Panzéra, as well as classical dancing with Nicholas Legat (teacher of Vaslav Nijinsky), and composition with Max d'Ollone.

[9] Growing up, he rebelled against his mother's deep devotion to her faith, but his father remained a positive influence, which helped in developing his musical talent and in coping with his homosexuality.

[9] He and his partner, the Swiss photographer Raymond Burnier,[4] first went to India as part of an adventure trip, and they were fascinated with the art and culture of the nation.

In 1949, he was appointed as a research professor at the University, a post he held until 1953; he also remained the director of the College of Indian Music.

His interest in the symbolism of Hindu architecture and sculpture lead him to long trips with Burnier to Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar, and Konarak, sites located in central India and Rajasthan.

In 2004, to mark his tenth death anniversary a photo exhibition, "India through the eyes of Alain Danielou (1935-1955)" was hosted at the Alliance Française, Hyderabad.