Raju Ananthaswamy began playing music in his father's troupe at a young age.
In addition to tabla, he could play a variety of other musical instruments including guitar, mandolin and keyboard.
Raju’s compositions and singing style was greatly influenced by his father, late Mysore Ananthaswamy .
His songs, Krishna Yenabaarade, Madhava, Beldingal raathrili, Tunge Dadadalli, Heege ondu Raathri are among his more important compositions.
Though Raju had set to tune more than 200 poems, he enjoyed singing his father’s compositions, which he also aspired to preserve and promote, during his performances.