Srikantan was born to a Sankethi Brahmin family in Rudrapatna,[1][2] Hassan district of Karnataka, on Makara Sankranti day, 14 January 1920.

His father R Krishnashastri was an orator, singer of Gamaka (storytelling), playwright, poet, and a harikatha vidwan.

[citation needed] His father Krishnashastri was Srikantan's first tutor and he moved to Mysore after his wife's death.

[1] Some of Srikantan's disciples include his son R S Ramakanth, B. K. Anantha Ram (Flutist), M. S. Sheela, T. S. Satyavati, R. A. Ramamani, M. T. Selvanarayana, Amith Nadig and H. K. Narayana.

His daughter Rathnamala Prakash is also his disciple, who achieved fame and success in Sugama Sangeetha or light music.