It was founded in 1943 by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, designed to promote Tamil music.[2] Since the 1940s, the association has supported a college, the Tamil Isai Sangam College, for the instruction of Tamil music.[3]
Every month, the association has hosted a musical festival promoting the understanding of Tamil music.[1] The association has heavily attempted to increase aware of pure Tamil Music(Tamil Isai), that have been declining in popularity in modern India.[4] During the music festival, Tamil Isai Sangam rewards prominent classical artists for their craft.[4] The 11th President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, once sung at the festival with a song he composed himself, to the surprise of the media.[5] As the festival is popular in India, Kalam later explained he was using it as a venue promote the inclusion of music in the school curriculum.[5]