He is believed to have lived between 1700-1765. His compositions have all the ingredients that puts him among the greatest of composers – soul-filling melody, command over rhythm and emotion-laden lyrics. His works reveal his almost consistent  high state of bliss.  

Legend has it that as a young boy, he craved for musical knowledge. He was not fortunate enough to find an proper guru to guide him though. After some basic training under Pooranoor Natesa Bhagavatar and being fascinated by the music of one Sri Krishna Yogi, he hoped to study under him. But the Yogi would not accept him as a disciple. His own elder brother, Kattu Krishna Iyer, who was a musician in the court of Tanjavur, was not willing to teach him. Disappointed, and on the advice of his mother, he started praying and singing in the presence of his chosen deity, Lord Krishna, accepting him as his manaseeka guru.

 It is believed that a miracle happened one day. A child covered with dust appeared and sat on his lap, and would not leave. At the same time, divine music through a flute was heard, and Venkata Kavi became so absorbed in it that he fell unconscious. When he woke up, he saw Balakrishna standing in front of him and blessing him. He immediately disappeared. Venkata Kavi then felt an immediate transformation in himself and started composing and gave expression to his intense devotion through a large number of songs.

 He is believed to have experienced many such visual and aural manifestations of Lord Krishna -It is believed that Lord Krishna appeared in person and danced to these melodies.  No wonder,his music and compositions are filled with saguna bhakti. 

He had his musical insights from Lord Krishna himself, in the Kalinga Narthana temple (It is believed that sage Naradha witnessed the Kalinga Narthanam that Lord Krishna performed in front of the divine cows Nandini and Patti, children of Kamadhenu. Sage Naradha prayed to Krishna to remain in the village in the dance posture and bless the devotees) in Oothukkadu. 

Oothukkadu is a sleepy village on the northern bank of the river Vettar (a branch of the sacred Kaveri), located in the Papanasam Taluk of Tanjavur district, about 13 kilometres south of Kumbhakonam.

Shri K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chitra have sung these songs.