C. Ramachandra was born in Putnatambe, Maharashtra in the year 1918. He was a student of Vinayakbua Patwardhan at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya music school. He joined films with Y.V.Rao's flop, Naganand followed by chuck roles in Minerva Movietone (Saeed-e-Havas, Atma Tarang). He became a Harmonium accompanyist for Minerva composers Bindu Khan and Habib Khan. He often got opportunities to sing and act in Marathi films under R.N.Chitalkar.

His debut film as a music director was in Tamil films with Jayakkodi and Vanamohini. Broke through as composer in Master Bhagwan's Sukhi Jeevan, establishing a long-term association that culminated with the musical megahit Albela.

Influenced by Benny Goodman, he used some interesting sounds to film soundtracks, for e.g., a combination of the harmonica, guitar and the alto sax in Aana meri Jaan Sunday ke Sunday (Shehnai), the bongo, oboe, trumpet, clarinet and sax in Shola Jo Bhadke (Albela) and scat singing in the unforgettable Eena Meena Dika (Aasha). Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo featured him singing the title song with Lata Mangeshkar assimilating some rock rhythms. Introduced scat singing for Ina mina dika in Aasha.

He worked on Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Bhojpuri films. And briefly he turned producer with New Sai Prod. in 1953 and produced Jhanjhar, Lehren, Duniya Gol Hai under his banner.In the late 60s, he composed for successful Marathi films: Dhananjay, Gharkul. His autobiography was published in the year 1977.

He used several different pseudonyms in the course of his work - Shyamoo (Yeh Hai India Duniya), Ram Chitalkar (Suhi Jeevan, Badla, Mr. Jhatpat, Bahadur, Dosti), Annasaheb (Bahadur Pratap, Matwale, Madadgaar).