“Chal, soche kya choti si hai zindagi…” – he sung piercing into the crowd’s hearts with his timeless classic song ‘Hum rahe ya na rahe kal’ at Kolkata’s Nazrul Mancha on Tuesday. Who knew it would be the last the world hears from 90s kids heartthrob KK as he passed away following the performance. The singer collapsed at a hotel where he was staying, hours after his last concert.
For those who were born in the 90s, KK’s songs have been indispensable part of their lives. Social media users shared glimpses from his last concert, remembering him as their teenage idol whose songs made their school and college lives memorable.
him singing my fav song in his last concert..
— ShrestaTweets || stanning (Hugivesashit )|| (@chotto_shei_ami) May 31, 2022
The last song.. The last goodbye💔#KrishnakumarKunnath #KK pic.twitter.com/Ip50kNzyhB
In some more videos shared online, the singer could be heard churning out his multiple hits at the concert, including “Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai“.
It is speculated that he died of a heart attack which is yet to be confirmed. Yet fans have shared multiple glimpses of the singing sensation sweating profusely as the AC was not working. Also while the capacity of the hall was 2200, more than 5000 people burst into the place creating a ruckus and the stuffing the place like anything. This has been stated as the cause of his untimely demise by fans.
AC wasn’t working at Nazrul Mancha. he performed their and complained abt it bcoz he was sweating so badly..it wasnt an open auditorium. watch it closely u can see the way he was sweating, closed auditorium, over crowded,
— WE जय (@Omnipresent090) May 31, 2022
Legend had to go due to authority’s negligence.
Not KK pic.twitter.com/EgwLD7f2hW
Most of top hits featured Emraan Hashmi and so many relate his voice to be synonymous to the Bollywood star. Hashmi gave his condolences to the lost gem.
About Krishnakumar Kunnath or KK
Born in Delhi to Malayali parents C. S. Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli, Krishnakumar Kunnath or KK was brought up in New Delhi. He was an alumnus of Delhi’s Mount St Mary’s School and graduated from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. After graduating from College in commerce, KK had a brief stint of six months as a marketing executive.
KK married Jyothy in 1991 and has son Nakul Krishna Kunnath who sang a song “Masti” from his album Humsafar with him. KK also has a daughter named Tamara Kunnath.
Singing Jingles
In 1994, he moved to Mumbai. The same year he gave his demo tape to Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot, and Lesle Lewis to get a break in the music arena. He was called by UTV and subsequently sang a jingle for Santogen Suiting ad. In a span of four years, he sang a whopping 3,500+ jingles across 11 languages. For the same, he considers Lesle Lewis as his mentor.
Playback career
KK was introduced as a playback singer with A. R. Rahman’s hit song “Kalluri Saaley” and “Hello Dr.” from Kadir’s Kadhal Desam and then “Strawberry Kannae” in AVM Productions’s musical film Minsara Kanavu (1997). He then got his Bollywood break “Tadap Tadap” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). However, prior to this song he had sung a small portion of the song “Chhod Aaye Hum” from Gulzar’s Maachis (1996).
Later in 1999, Sony Music had just been launched in India and they were looking to launch a new artist. KK was selected and he came out with his debut solo album titled Pal with Lesle Lewis from Colonial Cousins arranging, composing and producing it. The songs “Aap Ki Dua”, “Yaaron” and the title track “Pal” in no time ruled the lips of youngsters and also the music chart. Specifically, “Pal” and “Yaaron” became songs commonly used in school farewells which continue to date. KK got the Screen award as best singer for the album.
After a gap of 8 years on 22 January 2008, KK released his second album Humsafar. The songs “Aasman Ke”, “Dekho Na”, “Yeh Kahan Mil Gaye Hum” and “Rain Bhai Kaari (Maajhi)” became quite famous. Besides this, KK had also sung an English Rock Ballad “Cineraria”, If the 10 songs in the album, eight have been composed by KK and the other two songs were taken from his previous album Pal.
He has also sung many television serial songs like Just Mohabbat, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Kuch Jhuki Si Palkein, Hip Hip Hurray, Kkavyanjali, Just Dance. He also sang in the “Josh of India” song for the support of Indian Cricket Team during Cricket World Cup of 1999.
KK went on to record several songs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati languages.
His popular songs include, the Tamil song “Apadi Podu”, “Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai” from Woh Lamhe… (2006), “Aankhon Mein Teri” from Om Shanti Om (2007), “Khuda Jane” from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), “Piya Aaye Na” from Aashiqui 2 (2013), “Mat Aazma Re” from Murder 3 (2013), “India Wale” from Happy New Year (2014) and “Tu Jo Mila” from Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), among others. He received six Filmfare Awards nominations and a Filmfare Awards South in his career.
KK emphasized that it is not important for a singer’s face to be prominently seen – saying he believes the important thing is that “a singer must be heard”. He never had any formal training in music.
Whether one is sad, happy, in love, or just lonely at night, KK comes as a boon in the playlists that brings solace to the soul and so he will never get old or be forgotten.
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