He was most known for his powerful voice and intricate style, his command over the Mardala as well as his contribution towards the academic institutionalization of Odissi music education.
[1][2] Born to father Gobinda Chandra Kara and mother Padmabati Debi in the Manikarnika Sahi of Puri town, Shyamsundar was attracted to music from his childhood.
[4][1][2] He had completed his education in a Sanskrit tola and served as a hereditary Singhari sebāyata (servitor) in the Jagannatha Temple.
His presentation and teaching method was based on research and training with 32 veteran Gurus of the Odissi tradition, namely Gadi Jagannatha Pratihari, Badapanda Harihara Guru, Dwarikanatha Guru, Harihara Rayaguru, Nityananda Mahasuara, Sadhucharana Dasa, Managobinda Mahanti, Sura Dasa, Narasingha Misra, Narasingha Upadhyaya, Narasingha Adhikari, Chintamani Misra, Somanatha Chinhara, Bhikari Dalei, Bidya Misra, Durgabati Barma, Sindhujema Dei, Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami, Sankara Ratha, Brahmananda Goswami, Parsurama Sannyasi, Languli Baba, Gayaka Siromani Apanna Panigrahi etc.
At his Puri home, he established the Syamasundara Sangita Bidyalaya, an institution that continues to impart education in Odissi vocal music & Mardala.