K. S. Angamuthu, a very popular comedian of that time helped her to join the Krishna Drama Company at the age of 9.

She made her debut through the Modern Theatres maiden film Sathi Ahalya in 1937 at the age of ten.

In the film Kannagi she had acted as Kaunthi Adigal (An old Jain nun in the Tamil epic Silapathikaram).

She was awarded the title Isai Kuyil (Nightingale Of Music) by Swami Dhinakar at the 100th day function of Kannagi held at Thiruvarur.

She sang for J Sushila and T N Rajalakshmi in Dewan Bahadur (1943), T. D. Kusalakumari in Pona Machan Thirumbi Vanthaan (1954) and G. Varalakshmi in Vaazhvile Oru Naal (1956).

Her son Vetrivel and his wife Jothi Paappammaa have planned to publish a book on Jeevarathnam's biography.

Jeevarathnam's family happily recalls the marriage of Vetrivel which was attended by the then chief minister MGR and V. N. Janaki.