Subbaraya was born in 1803 as the second son of Syama Sastri. He studied music initially from his father. Later Syama Shastri asked Tyagaraja to teach his son and sent Subbaraya to him. He also had the opportunity to learn a few krithi from Muthuswami Dikshitar. He also learnt Hindustani music from Meru Goswami, a musician of the Thanjavur palace, and from Ramadas Swami who was a recluse and who lived in Tiruvidaimarudur near Kumbakonam.
