He received a Bachelor of Science degree but decided to become a professional singer, a decision influenced by his admiration for Ghantasala.
Throughout his career, he performed over 5000 songs in movies and devotional albums and has given numerous stage shows across Andhra Pradesh.
He was a playback singer for Telugu actors such as NTR, ANR, Sobhan Babu, and Krishnam Raju.
The couple had two children, Lekha, and Sai Kiran, who made his acting début in Nuvve Kaavali in 2001.
He died on 16 July 2015, having suffered from cancer for ten months and having been admitted to Banjara Hills Omega Hospitals.