[1][2] Rama Variyar was born the third child of Kaikulangara Kizhakke Variathu Narayani Varasyar (mother) and Kaithakkottu Narayana Bhattathiri (father).
After initial lessons in Ayurveda and Jyotisha from his maternal uncles, at the age of twelve, he moved to Thrippunithura for further studies.
Svamikal, impressed by his student's intellectual abilities, invited him to join his journey to Mukambi and conferred three titles on Rama Variyar: "Vagdasan", "Ramanandanathan" and "Panditaparsavendran".
Returning home, Rama Variyar continued teaching Sanskrit and married Thekke Variyath Kutty Varasyar.
In 1883, at the urging of Paramel Ittoop, Rama Variyar moved his family to Kunnamkulam to focus on his scholarly work.