Born in Vizagapatam on 1 August 1888,[2] Ramamurthy studied at the London Mission High School and after graduating from Madras University, did his masters' at the Trinity College, Cambridge.

[4] Ramamurthy joined the Indian Civil Service in November 1911 and served his entire career in the Madras Presidency, In 1923, he was appointed District Collector of Ramnad.

[6] Ramamurthy responded when, appointed to head a commission after the Governor had dismissed Rajaji's government, he recommended the abolition of prohibition throughout the province.

In 1939, Ramamurthy was appointed Chief Secretary to the Madras government, the first Indian to occupy the post.

[7] He served till 1941 during the time when the Second World War broke out and introduced food rationing in the province.