Kalamandalam Gangadharan was born on June 26, 1936. His father is Sankara Pilla and mother is Parvathi Amma.

After completion of his fifth forum and the basics of Carnatic Music, joined Kerala Kalamandalam learning Kathakali Music for 8 years under Late Kalamandalam Neelakandhan Nambeesan, Kalamandalam Sivaraman Nair and Kavungal Madhava Panickar. Immediately after the completion of course he became Kathakali Music teacher in Kerala Kalamandalam and retired as Vice Principal in 1991.

Has participated in many Kathakali performances all over Kerala, India and foreign countries including Japan, America, Australia, China, Fiji, Indonesia and Iran.

Has received Kalamandalam Award, Guruvayoorappan Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award and many awards from different Kathakali Clubs.