Current affairs

Popular singer KK, who made his film debut through AR Rahman, has passed away at 53!

By alagu, 01 June, 2022
Krishnakumar Kunnath, A R Rahman, Death

Well-renowned Indian playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, has passed away on Tuesday - May 31 at the age of 53 in Kolkata, shortly after completing his concert. The untimely demise of the singer has become a tragic loss for the country as he has left a towering legacy in the world of singing. As he had won a huge following for his enthralling voice, hundreds of thousands of fans, fraternities, and leaders have been paying tribute to the departed soul. 

In the night hours of Tuesday, KK was performing at a concert that was held in Kolkata's Nazrul Mancha auditorium on the occasion of Sir Gurudas Mahavidyalaya fest. After his performance, he had complained of health discomforts after which he was taken to his hotel, where he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was provided with first aid at the hotel. However, as he didn't respond to the first aid, he was rushed to CMRI hospital around 10 pm in Kolkata. 

The doctors in the hospital had declared that KK was brought dead. The news of his demise had quickly got nationwide attention and the fans were saddened by the loss of the magical voice. They have been expressing condolences to his family. Earlier, KK had shared the pictures from the concert on Instagram and the fans have been sharing them as they remember his contribution to the art and music. 

In a career spanning three decades, KK has laid a successful journey in India's diversity. He had recorded songs in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali, Gujarati, and Assamese languages. He was more prominent in the Bollywood industry. KK had begun his career by singing for advertisement jingles and he made his film debut with an AR Rahman soundtrack and then on, he had sung hundreds of songs across the languages. His 1999 debut album 'Pal' had a critical acclamation. 

He began singing jingles in 1994 and in the span of four years, he sang more than 3,500 jingles across 11 languages. He has got his first breakthrough in Mumbai with UTV to sing jingles. He was introduced as a playback singer with AR Rahman's hit songs 'Kalluri Saaley' and 'Hello Dr' from the Tamil movie 'Kadhal Desam'. KK went on to sing 'Strawberry Kannae' from the movie 'Minsara Kannavu' in Tamil. 

KK has a good opening in Bollywood through the song 'Tadap Tadap' in the Salman Khan starred movie 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' in 1999. Some of his popular songs include 'Apadi Podu' - Tamil, 'Dola Re Dola' from Devdas, 'Aankhon Mein Teri' from Om Shanti Om, 'Piya Aaye Na' from Aashiqui 2, 'Mat Aazma Re' from Murder 3, 'India Wale' from Happy New Year, 'Tu Jo Mila' from Bajrangi Bhaijaan. 

KK has received six Filmfare Award nominations and a Filmfare Awards South, which he won for a Best Playback singer in Kannada in 2010. He also had won 'Screen Awards' in 2009 as the Best Playback Singer for the Hindi song 'Khuda Jaane'. KK has been a remarkable singing personality who has won a great following from across and beyond the borders. His voice and concerts had attracted millions and it was evident in Kolkata on Tuesday and no one in the auditorium knew that it would be the final concert of KK.  

The fans are sharing the photos and visuals from his concert on Tuesday and several celebrities and leaders have been paying tribute. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and wrote, "Saddened by the untimely demise of noted singer Krishnakumar Kunnath popularly known as KK. His songs reflected a wide range of emotions as struck a chord with people of all age groups. We will always remember him through his songs. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti." 

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar wrote, "Extremely sad and shocked to know of the sad demise of KK! What a loss! Om Shanti." Popular singer Papon Angaraag said, "Life is so uncertain! Just too crazy this is for me to process! God give strength to the family! KK, you will be missed brother! You, your voice, and your songs will be forever with us." Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of renowned singer Shri Krishnakumar Kunnath, fondly known as KK. His voice and songs will stay till eternity. My heartfelt condolences to his friends and family, and fans across the world." 

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag said, "Tragic to hear about the passing away of KK after falling ill while performing in Kolkata. Another reminder of how fragile life is. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti." Singer Rahul Vaidya wrote, "I hear singer KK just passed away. God, what is really happening? I mean what is happening. One of the nicest humans KK sir was. Gone too soon at 53. Beyond shocked. RIP sir." 

KK was born on 23rd August 1968 in Delhi to Malayali parents CS Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli. KK was raised in Delhi and he is an alumnus of Delhi's Mount St Mary's School and graduated from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. He sang the 'Josh of India' song for the support of the Indian cricket team during the Cricket World Cup in 1999. KK had married Jyothy in 1991 and the couple has two children - a son named Nakul Krishna Kunnath and a daughter named Tamara Kunnath. 

In his memoir on his official website, The Mesmerizer, KK wrote, "There is a certain energy an artiste gets when he or she is on stage. No matter what one's condition is, once I am on stage, I forget everything and simply perform." 

 

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