Dr. Krishnamurthi was born in 1919 to Sundara Reddy and Muthulakshmi Reddy, India's first woman medical graduate. He passed MBBS in 1942 and M.S. in 1946. In 1947, he went abroad to work as a Fellow of the Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital, Missouri, U.S., and later, at the Royal Cancer Hospital, London. Right through, he immersed himself in oncology, an interest that was to dictate the rest of his life.

In 1970, the government recognised his pioneering efforts towards understanding and treatment of cancer and awarded him the Padma Shri. From 1965, he was on one or more committees of the World Health Organisation up until 1982. In 1983, he became a member of the Advisory Committee on Cancer Control and Planning of the Central government. He was also a much sought-after expert in his field.

On Account of Mrs. Mandakini Krishnamurthi illness, Dr. S. Krishnamurthi assumed the responsibility as Correspondent and Secretary of Avvai Home on July 13, 2002.

Miss V. Susheela, who retired as General Manager, MRF, took over all the strenuous duties happily and ably. Soon after, Mrs. Rajalakshmi, retired professor of Economics, Ethiraj College joined through the good offices of Mrs. Vasanthi Devi, Former Vice- Chancellor of the Mother Therasa Women’s University.

During this period(September 2002 – March 2004) Miss Susheela was Honorary Joint Secretary and Correspondent of schools in Avvai Home.