Serukulathur Sama was a Tamil film actor who was primarily known for playing the role of the Hindu god Krishna in mythological films of the 1930s and 1940s. Born in the village Serukalathur in Thanjavur district to Mirasudar (Manager of own farm) Vaidyanadhaiyer, his birth name was Swaminathan.

When he was 5 years old his mother died and the father re-married. So Swaminathan went to live with his uncle in Thanjavur. He learned Carnatic music along with academic studies.