He was awarded the Sangeetha Kalanidhi title in 1985 by Madras Music Academy.
He learned music from Tiger Varadachariar, Sabesa Iyer, Ponniah Pillai, and Sathur Krishna Iyengar.
Post this, he also trained under Vidwan Valadi Krishnaiyer known as "Kirthana Kutir" - Granary of Kirthanas for vocal music and Devakottai Narayana Iyengar for the veena and acquired proficiency in both fields.
He received a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, where he also taught.
In 1981 Ramanathan released an album of Carnatic music, Navagraha Krtis (The 9 Planets), Cāturdaṡa Rāgamālika (The 14 Worlds) and Srī Gurunā: By Muttuswāmī Dīkṣitar (1775-1835), on Folkways Records.