[2][3][4][5] Govindarajan, was born on 19 January 1933 at Sirkazhi (a small town in present-day Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu; famed birthplace of Sambandar, one of the 63 Nayanars of the Saiva faith) to Siva Chidambaram and Avayambal Ammal.

At the same time, he started rigorous training (Gurukulavasam) under his Guru Thiruppampuram Swaminatha Pillai, who was then a professor at the Central College of Carnatic Music, Madras.

He also sang duets with many female singer such as M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Leela, K. Jamuna Rani, Jikki, P. Susheela, K. Rani, L. R. Eswari, L. R. Anjali, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathinmala, T. V. Rathnam, Bangalore A. R. Ramani Ammal, Vani Jairam, S. Janaki, M. R. Vijaya, Sarala and Rohini.

He was the recipient of three gold medals (first place) in the austere and hallowed halls of Sangeetha Vidwat Sabha (Music Academy) from Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer.

"Sangeetha Vidwan" Sirkali won all first places in the three categories: Apoorva Krithis of Sri Thyagaraja swamigal, Ragam-Thalam-Pallavi, and Tamil Classical Songs.