When he was about two, he exhibited his interest in rhythm by tapping on the table and any other article he could catch hold of. When taken to concerts, he could be espied keenly observing the mridangam artiste on stage. When he was five, his parents, A.N. Siva and Akhila Siva, taking into account his predilections, sent the child to learn the art of mridangam playing. Thus began Manoj Sivas initial training under Srirangarajapuram Jayaraman. Later he learnt from Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and from the renowned maestro Palghat R. Raghu. 
Born on February 26, 1972, He was awarded a Gold Medal for mridangam playing by Y.M.C.A.-Chennai at the age seven and has won the first prize for mridangam accompaniment in concerts from institutions like The Music Academy, and Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, among others. He is an "A" grade mridangam artist by All India Radio. He is currently located in Chennai. He is also a brother of Vijay Siva.N