Prof. M Venkateshkumar hails from Bellary district in Karnataka. From a young age, he was strongly influenced by his father, who was a renowned artist. Impressed by his genuine dedication to hindustani classical music, Pt. Puttaraj Gawayi took him on as a pupil in his gurukul. After years of rigorous training, M. Venkateshkumar effectively inherited the Kirana and the Gwalior gharana singing styles with all its nuances. He also received a post graduate degree in music from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.
Prof. Venkateshkumar is gifted with a mellifluous, robust and vibrant voice, rich in tradition and deep in devotion. His vast experience and deep-rooted commitment has made him a name to reckon with. He has performed at all major music festivals in India and has also been invited to perform at the AKKA Kannada Sammelan in Florida.
Currently, he teaches music at the Karnatak College of Music, Dharwad. He is the recipient of several titles such as Swarashree, Sangeet Sudhakara, Sangeeta Ratna, Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (1999), Karnataka Sangeet Natya Academy Award (2007), Vatsalathal Bhimsen Joshi Award 2008 among others.