Mysore/Mysuru: As part of the monthly moonlight music programme-253, Pandit M. Venkatesh Kumar will present a Hindustani Music programme at Suttur Mutt at the foot of Chamundi Hill at 6 pm on Apr. 6. He will be accompanied by Pandit Veerabhadraiah Hiremath on harmonium and Pandit Keshav Joshi on tabla. Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji will grace the occasion.

Profile: Hindustani vocalist Pt. M. Venkatesh Kumar is best known for his rendition of devotional songs composed by Haridasa and Kanakadasa. He belongs to the Kirana and Gwalior Gharana. When he was 15 years old, he started learning Hindustani music from Veereshwara Punyaashrama Gadag Seer Pandit Puttaraj Gawai.

He has received awards and titles including Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (1999), Karnataka Sangeet Natya Academy Award (2007), Vatsala Bhimsen Joshi Award (2008), Gangubai Hangal National Award (2017). He has also received two Honorary Doctorates, one from Karnatak University, Dharwad, in 2014 and from Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, Muddenahalli in 2022.