Born into a farming family in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Gurunathan originally inspired by both his brothers occupation as a signboard artist and his appreciation of a neighbourhood artist to pursue Art. He joined the Chennai Government College of Art & Crafts, determined to make art an integral part of his life. He has acquired a State Award from Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai 2003; Best Student Award given by Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai 2009; Lalith Kala Academy Artist scholarship 2012-2013. There is a clear need to recreate the dichotomies of nature, its subtle impulses both hard-wearing and transient, through his technique, medium and content.