[3] Dandapani completed his primary education at St. Albert's High School, Ernakulam.

[5] He started independent practice in 1972 with his wife Sumathi Dandapani, in the fields of civil, company, constitution, and criminal laws.

However, five months after the appointment he was transferred to Gujarat High Court after being terminated by the President of India for non compliance of order[citation needed], and he and his wife became designated as senior advocates by the Kerala High Court.

[citation needed] He was the legal adviser and standing counsel of many companies and establishments, including the PowerGrid Corporation of India,[10] The Leela Group, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Greater Cochin Development Authority, Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, Kollam, Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode, Malayala Manorama and Anna Kitex Group.

His wife Sumathi Dandapani is also a practicing senior advocate in the Kerala High Court.