One of the most sought-after Carnatic vocalists Aruna Sairam was trained initially by her mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman. Subsequently, she became a disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi T Brinda. Aruna Sairam feel equally at home, whether she renders a padam or a composition of Thyagaraja, an abhang of a Maharashtrian saint-poet or a Tamil pasuram or thevaram.

She has traveled widely in India and overseas and has many recordings to her credit.

She received the Padma Shri in 2009.