He took initial training from his father, a renowned Nadhaswaram artiste, Shri. Seshampatti P Theerthagiri.
Thereafter, he took advanced training from Shri. Keevalur NG Ganesan in Tanjore and subsequently from Shri. Keeranur Ramaswami Pillai and Shri. Thiruvarur Latchappa Pillai while also graduating with the Vadhya Vishradh degree from the College of Carnatic Music in Chennai in 1971.
Shri. Seshampatti T Sivalingam has achieved great success in his professional life as a vidwan of the Nadhaswaram and has been bestowed with high honours by both the Government of India and the State of Tamil Nadu. Notable awards include the Sangeet Natak Akademi award and the Kalaimamani. He has also been bestowed with numerous awards from leading Carnatic Music Sabhas. In addition to the above accolades, he served as the Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, was an emapanelled artiste of Indian Council for Cultural Relationships (ICCR). He is also a renowned artiste and a leading Nadhaswaram artiste in Chennai and regularly performs in the Chennai Music Season in several leading venues.
Shri. Seshampatti T. Sivalingam has performed through the length and breadth of India while also touring numerous other countries. He has both represented India at various global events and also the state of TamilNadu in events within India. He has performed . He has been in the panel of judges for All India Radio (AIR) auditions and competitions. He has also been performing for AIR for over four decades and has been categorised as Top Grade artiste by AIR. He has been a great ambassador of South Indian Classical Music and has preserved the auspicious tradition of Nadhaswaram in Carnatic classical music and has passed on the art form through his disciples.
