Amrutha Venkatesh’s creative and out-of-the-box presentations are piquing audiences’ attention everywhere she sings. Extensive research underpins her innovative pallavis in uniquely structured talas. A polyglot who knows the meaning of every song she performs, this Carnatic vocalist uses no visual aids when presenting an enviable repertoire that includes numerous lesser-known composers and lyricists. In an art where one is constantly told to ‘sing with the mouth fully open’, she boldly modulates her voice. Not for her grimaces, scowls or other facial contortions either—she maintains an even, often cheery countenance while singing. Above and beyond, she is a vaggeyakara and a tunesmith as well. 

Amrutha is proficient in veena (she is graded A in the instrument by the All India Radio) and received many years of mentorship in laya from a young age. Additionally, each of her multiple gurus, though from different banis, were open to her not only learning from others but also melding the best of all she learned and heard. This unique and unusually well-rounded tutelage has played a key role in her being a confident and self-assured performer who adroitly blends vidwat and popular appeal, satisfying experts and lay rasikas alike.