Madurai R Sundar was born into a family where Carnatic music, in some form and degree, was part of day-to-day life. While his grand parents and parents were knowledgeable listeners-connoisseurs of Carnatic music, he had in his aunt Smt. Ananthalakshmi Sadagopan a reputed concert musician, who had her training under stalwarts like Sathur A.G. Subramania Iyer and Semmangudi Sriinivasa Iyer. All these set the tone for what was to become an integral part of his life.