[1] He began acting at 13 and worked with several theater committees, including Kerala People's Arts Club.
Thankaraj started acting in plays while in school, becoming a popular face in amateur theatre alongside Nedumudi Venu, Faasil and Alleppey Ashraf.
He was part of many professional theatre collectives, including Kottayam National Theaters, Chalakkuddy Saradhi and KPAC.
In 1995, he founded Kainakary Theaters and later formed a theatre troupe named Ambalappuzha Aksharajwala with late actor Thilakan.
[2] Kainakary passed away on 3 April 2022 at his home in Velamkonam, Keralapuram, after a long battle with liver-related issues.