To Sastri goes the credit of promoting the flute to the status of a primary concert instrument from being a mere 'second fiddle' to dance.
Blind at a young age, he was initiated into a career in music under the guidance of his maternal uncle Sri Kuppusamy Sastri of Tiruvadi near Thiruvaiyaru and later by Manambuchavadi Venkatasubbayyar, one of the leading disciples of Saint Tyagaraja.
Sri Saraba Saastri lived in Soliappa Mudali street in Kumbakonam and was married to Ambu Ammal.
Sastri undertook penance in ErAharam -Sri Sankari Samedha Skandanadha Swamy temple, obtained divinity and brought peace and happiness to local population.
Sri Saraba Saastrigal taught a unique technique in playing the Flute (with Tu-Tu kaarams).
Sri Saraba Saastrigal was also called "Eka Chandra Graahi", since he had the uncanny ability to grasp anything by just listening once.
By progressing from playing only simple tunes to the ability of producing full-fledged kritis complete with the nuances of every raga, the flute came on par with the veena as a concert instrument.
Music scholars such as Thirukodikaval Krishna Iyer, "Fiddle" Govindasamy Pillai, Pattanam Subramaniya Iyer, Thanjavur Krishna Bhagavathar, Mridangam Narayanaswamy Appa, Mridangam Azhaga Nambi Pillai, Kumbakonam Sivakolundu and Tirumarugal Natesa Nayakarar were his contemporaries and used to accompany him in his concerts.
Upon his death at the age of 32, his work was carried on by his most celebrated disciple, Palladam Sanjeeva Rao, who perfected and elaborated on the fingering system and popularised the flute as a solo concert instrument.
Sastri lived a very simple life and offered his divine music as worship to Lord Rama.
Sri Rama Navami uthsavam was performed by him every year which used to be attended by all the leading musicians of those days.