Rathinasabapathi Kanagasabai was born in 1913 to Mangalam Rathinasabapathi and Rajambil Rathinasabapathi. Although his native language was Tamil, he achieved fluency in English through extensive reading of English literature and by applying his knowledge in practical settings.

R. Kanagasabai Pillai was a significant political leader from Tamil Nadu who served as a Member of Parliament representing the Chidambaram constituency in the Lok Sabha, winning elections as an Indian National Congress candidate in 1957 and 1962. In addition to his parliamentary roles, he was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the same constituency in the 1967 state elections. Alongside his political career, Pillai held the position of chairman of the Madras Central Cooperative Bank for an impressive span of two decades. He also contributed as a board member of the Life Insurance Corporation of India.

R. Kanagasabai Pillai passed away in 1981 at the age of 68 due to a sudden cardiac arrest. His contributions to India were not only significant personal achievements but also served as a source of inspiration for many, particularly within the Chidambaram community. In recognition of his service, a neighborhood in Chidambaram was named Kanagasabai Nagar in his honor. He was survived by three brothers—R. Natarajan, R. Subramaniam, and R. Ramalingam—and a sister, Savagamasundari Thirunavukarasu. His extended family, including future generations, continue to honor his legacy and remember his lasting impact.