Pillai was the Asthana Vidwan of the Dharmapuram Adheenam for 12 years. In addition he received regular honours from other mutts such as Thirupanandal and Tiruvavaduthurai.

Pillai was given the Title of “Swetharanya Punnaga Nadhamani” by the Paramacharya of Kanchi, Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi.

During his overseas tour of 1955/56, Pillai was to reap a rich harvest of titles:
• Inaugurating the Aradhana of Tyagaraja on 12th Feb 1956 at the Vivekananda Tamil Pathsala in Kuala Lumpur, he received the title of “Isai Nadha Jyoti” from Cho Ratna Sarma, the Secretary of the Tyagaraja Aradhana Committee.
• During the same tour he also received the title of “Isai Ulaga Swara Raga Nada Thilagam”
• He had received the Title of “Sangeetha Bhooshana Ratnakara Nadhaswara Raja” from the citizens of Sri Lanka.
• During yet another occasion he had received the titles of “Nadhaswara Kesari” and “Maha Maho Isai Nada Sarasara Mannar”

Pillai became the first nagaswarm artist to receive the Tamil Nadu State Sangeeta Nataka Mandram (later the Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram) award in 1965.

He was also the first nadhaswaram artist to receive the Central Sangeet Natak Academy’s “Fellowship” in 1978.

On 24th March 1984, Pillai became the first nadhaswara artist awarded a “Doctorate” by the Tamil University, Thanjavur. The award was given away by the Governor, S L Kurana and Pillai, by then wheelchair bound, was wheeled on to the stage by his son to receive it. A Grand Ceremony was held at Tiruvengadu on 20th April 1984 in honour of Pillai receiving the Doctorate. Minister Nedunchezhian participated and honoured the Vidwan. The event had several nadhaswara vidwans participating and performing by way of honouring Pillai. After his demise, a Program to commemorate Pillai was organized on 4th March 1986 at Tiruvengadu. His portrait was unveiled on the occasion by RM Veerappan, then Minsiter for HR and CE, in the presence of Kundrakudi Adigal.

He has served:
• as a Member of the Advisory committee of the State Khadi & Village Industries Board
• as a Member of the State Advisory Committee of HR&CE
• as Municipal Councilor for two terms of the Mayavaram Municipality
• as Trustee of Sri Sayavaneswarar Temple, Sayavanam, Poompuhar.
• As the Principal of the Nadhaswaram Colleges at Palani and Tiruvaiyaru.
• As the Secretary of Sri Sadguru Thyagaraja Mahotsava Sabha, Tiruvaiyaru for two terms.