Allepey Venkatesan is a disciple of Late Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar. He received early lessons from Shri K.V. Ramachandra Bhagavathar and later, learnt from his father, Shri K. Parthasarathy. His father was himself a multi-faceted man-one of the most senior disciples of Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar Alepey Venkatesan is one of the most respected vocalists in the circuit of South Indian Classical Music. His music is anchored in the deepest traditions of classicism, characteristic of the illustrious school to which he belongs, and yet has acquired for itself a distinct flavour of innovation and creativity, introduced with dexterity sufficient to retain that brand of classicism.

The other significant influence on his career after he permanently moved to Madras in 1969 was that of the greatest Mridangam maestro, Palghat Mani Iyer. During the years 1972 to 1981, Venkatesan had the privilege of close association with the mridangam wizard, who, apart from accompanying Venkatesan in many concerts on his own initiative, gave him several valuable insights including a deeper vision of “Laya” (Rhythm) as the bedrock of Carnatic music.

He served as a Member of the Board of Studies in Music, Annamalai University for 3 years. Between 1996 & 2002 and again since 2005, Venkatesan has been the Honorary President of Sampradaya,a non-profit organization dedicated to the archival preservation, documentation and research in South Indian Music Traditions. Venkatesan is a Chartered Accountant practising in Chennai since 1977.