Kanyakumari is a native of Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh and has lived in Chennai for more than five decades.^{[citation needed]}

A Kanyakumari was awarded the Sangeetha Kalanidhi award of the Madras Music Academy for the year 2016. She is the first female violinist to get the award.^[1] Other awards include

• Padma Shri by Government of India (2015)^[2]
• Sangita Kalanidhi from the Music Academy, Chennai (2016)^[3]
• Kalaimamani from Govt. of Tamil Nadu^{[citation needed]}
• Ugadi Puraskar from Govt. of Andhra Pradesh^{[citation needed]}
• Top Rank by A.I.R^{[citation needed]}
• Honorary citizenship of the state of Maryland, U.S^{[citation needed]}
• TTK Award from the Music Academy, Chennai^{[citation needed]}
• Asthana Viidushi of Sringeri Sarada Peetam, Ahobila Mutt and Avadhoota Peetam^{[citation needed]}
• "Saptagiri sangeetha vidwanmani from Sri Tyagaraja Festival Committee of Tirupathi.^{[citation needed]}
• Dhanurveena Praveena, a title bestowed on her by M.S. Subbulakshmi, commemorating Kanyakumari's 25 years in concerts^{[citation needed]}
• Sangeeta Kala Nipuna, from the Mylapore Fine Arts Club, 2002 ^[4]
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 2003^{[citation needed]}
• Sangeetha Chudamani Award from Krishna Gana Sabha, 2012^{[citation needed]}

She was selected for Limca Book of Records 2004 for her various achievements in music as a versatile woman violinist.^{[citation needed]}