The Artist - Latha Venkatesh has always had a passion for art and music and hails from a very artistic family. Already an accomplished Veena player, she now pursues Bharathanatyam with great fervor under her guru, Hema Sharma. Latha learnt Veena from the Renowned Karaikudi tradition under Laxmi Ammal and Karaikudi Subramanyam. She has received several prizes in music competitions as well as An All India award for her Veena playing skills. She has given several veena concerts in India and the United States. She is also a well-known child psychiatrist in Kansas City. In keeping with tradition, her Arangetram is her first performance of dance on the stage, but it is just the beginning of her contribution to the art.