Venkatesh hails from Chennapatna in Karnataka, which is famous for lacquered wooden toys. His forefathers have been practising this craft for over a hundred years. Venkatesh finds great pleasure and enjoys his craft immensely. Apart from little engines, noisy rattles, special dolls, spinning tops and balancing toys his wooden bangles in natural colours  are very popular. He uses natural colours on his beautiful wooden toys as they impart their natural earthy hues. He lives with his wife, a son and a daughter. He hopes to carry on this craft to the next generation and wants to make the craft well known all over the country through demonstrations.