Born in 1963, Neyveli R. Santhanagopalan is a Carnatic music vocalist known for his traditional values in the rendition of classical compositions. Brought up in a musical environment at home, and initiated by his mother Jayalakshmi Ammal, he received rigorous training from Sangita Kalanidhi T.N. Seshagopalan. He is also proficient in the veena and percussion instruments. His contribution to Carnatic musicology has also been recognised.

The distinguishing features of his music style are his well-structured and cerebral approach to aspects of raga elaboration, focus on tonal quality, expertise in niraval and minimalist rendition of ragam-tanam-pallavi. In recent years he has struggled with vocal problems.

Santhanagopalan has been honoured with numerous awards and accolades including the Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Bharat Kalachar, Kartik Fine Arts, and the Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Foundation. He received the title Vidya Tapasvi from TAPAS Cultural Foundation in 2008.

He is a much sought-after performer during the December and January Madras Music Season, and is a Grade 'A' artist with All India Radio and Doordarshan. Although he is known for adhering to the traditional repertoire for his concerts, he has also participated in some collaborative musical events. A popular anchor for the Jaya TV programme SaRiGaMaPa, he is also a much sought after teacher who has embraced technology to teach students across continents.