[2][3] Born into the prominent Pootheri family at Kozhikode in Kerala on 13 June 1953, Raghukumar started training in Indian classical music with Carnatic vocals at an early age under the tutelage of Guru G.S.Sreekrishnan.

[4] Subsequently, he took training in Indian percussion on the tabla under the able guidance of Guru Balasubramaniam of (All India Radio).

[5] Fascinated by Hindustani music, Raghukumar started training on the sitar under Guru Vincent (a.k.a.

[6] At the age of 15, Raghukumar debuted on stage as an accompanying artist for eminent musicians of Indian classical and Western percussion from all over India.

He made an entry into the film industry as a musician[8] under the guidance of the eminent music arranger/composer R. K. Shekhar (Father of A. R. Rahman).