Pandit Venkateshkumar

Padma Shri Pandit M. Venkatesh Kumar (born 1 July 1953, Bellary, Karnataka) is a revered Hindustani classical vocalist of the Panchakshara, Kirana, and Gwalior Gharanas. He spent twelve formative years at the Veereshwara Punyashrama in Gadag under the Veerashaiva saint and musician Puttaraj Gawai, mastering the Gwalior and Kirana styles. He is best known for his devotional renditions of songs by Swami Haridas and Kanakadasa and taught at the University College of Music, Dharwad, for 33 years. He received the Padma Shri in 2016, the Kalidas Samman, and the State Rajyotsava Award, and is cherished for his extraordinary contribution to Hindustani classical music from Karnataka.