M. VENKATESH KUMAR

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  • A veteran Hindustani classical vocalist hailing from the Dharwad region of north Karnataka
  • Born in Lakshmipura & brought up in a rural ambience with ancestral folk tradition, he was strongly influenced by his father, Huleppa, a renowned folk artist & mother Parvathamma 
  • His mother’s younger brother, Belagollu Veeranna, a renowned puppeteer from Karnataka took him to meet Pandit Puttaraja Gawai & put him in his ashram to learn music. Meticulously groomed for 12 years under the saint and musician at his ashram Veereshwara Punyashrama in Gadag, Karnataka, he did all the chores - cleaning, washing clothes, guru seva - serving his Guru & learning Hindustani vocal in Gwalior & Kirana gharana styles. As a result, his robust singing now blends the key elements of the two styles seamlessly. His child-like demeanour & humility keeps him connected to his source
  • Received a post graduate degree in music from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya 
  • Taught at the University College of Music, Dharwad. This commitment regularly forced him to turn down concerts, but he refused to quit the job that offered him stability at a time when concerts were hard to come by. Every morning, he would go from his home to the campus on his scooter 
  • Invited by Pt. Bhimsen Joshi himself, his first recital at the national level was at Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav in Pune. Has several devotional and classical music CD albums to his credit, performed at the AKKA Kannada Sammelan in Florida 
  • A top grade AIR artiste, he has been awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India (2015); he also received the Sangeet Sudhakara, Sangeeta Ratna, Swara Laya Samrat, Karnataka Rajyotsava award (1999), Karnataka Sangeet Natya Academy Award (2007), Vatsala Bhimsen Joshi Award (2008), Kendra Sangeeth Nataka Akademi Award & an honorary doctorate from Karnataka University, Dharwad 
  • Gifted with a mellifluous, vibrant voice, rich in tradition & deep in devotion, he is most acclaimed for his rendition of devotional songs & Kannada Vachanas composed by Haridasa

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