Biography Of Krishnakumar Kunnath (KK)
Name | Krishnakumar Kunnath |
Born | 23 August 1968 Delhi, India |
Died | 31 May 2022 (aged 53) Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
Fathers name | C. S. Nair |
Mothers name | Kunnath Kanakavalli |
Spouse | Jyothy Lakshmi Krishna (M. 1991) |
Occupation | Singer |
Alma Mater | Kirori Mal College (University of Delhi) |
Children | Nakul Krishna Kunnath Tamara Kunnath |
Introduction
Krishnakumar Kunnath (23 August 1968 – 31 May 2022), popularly known as KK, was an Indian playback singer. He recorded songs in several languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, and Gujarati.
He is well known for his popular soulful songs “Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai” from Woh Lamhe(2006), “Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai” from Gangster (2007), “Aankhon Mein Teri” from Om Shanti Om (2007), “Khuda Jane” from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), and “Tu Jo Mila” from Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015).” On 31 May 2022, he died of a suspected cardiac arrest at Nazrul Mancha auditorium in Kolkata.
Personal Life
Born in Delhi on 23 August 1968 to Malayali parents, Krishnakumar Kunnath grew up in New Delhi. He sang 3,500 jingles before breaking into Bollywood.
He did his schooling at Mount St Mary’s School, Delhi. Thereafter, he pursued a course in commerce at Kirori Mal College, Delhi.
After his graduation, he relocated to Mumbai, Maharashtra, where he embarked on his career as a singer. KK was a vocalist since childhood and grew up participating in competitions and rock bands in school and college.
Family
KK belonged to a Malayali family hailing from Kerala’s Thrissur district. His father’s name is C. S. Nair and his mother’s name is Kunnath Kanakavalli.
In 1991, KK got married to his longtime girlfriend Jyothy Lakshmi Krishna. they have a son, Nakul Krishna Kunnath, and a daughter, Tamara Kunnath.
Career
After graduating in commerce from Kirori Mal College, KK had a brief stint of six months as a marketing executive. Then he chose to pursue his passion for music. He struggled to create a name for himself in the competitive recording industry at first, resorting to singing at hotels to make ends meet. After a few years, in 1994, he moved to Mumbai.
In 1994 he gets a break in the music arena by UTV. KK then transitioned into a playback singer, starting with A. R. Rahman’s “Kalluri Saaley” and “Hello Dr.” from Kadir’s Kadhal Desam and then “Strawberry Kannae” from AVM Productions’ 1997 musical film Minsara Kanavu.
He had his Bollywood debut with the song “Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). KK considered this song a turning point in his career.
Music Albums
In 1999, he came to the limelight with his debut album, Pal, released via Sony Music India and composed by Lesle Lewis. The songs “Pal” and “Yaaron” from the album gained immense popularity among the ’90s youth and were commonly played in school and college farewells at that time.
Another crowd-puller song voiced by him is “Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe” from the 2001 coming-of-age film ‘Dil Chahta Hai;’ the song was collaboratively voiced by Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, and KK. He had numerous popular playback credits under his belt including ‘Such Keh Raha Hai’ from Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001), ‘Zara Sa’ and ‘Dil Ibaadat’ from Jannat (2008), and ‘Piya Aaye Na’ from Aashiqui 2 (2013). His last released song was ‘Yeh Hausle’ from the film 83 (2021).
Other Languages
- In the 2000 Assamese music album ‘Mann,’ he lent his voice to the songs “Man Dilo” and “Kajol Tumi.” His song “Cineraria,” from the album Humsafar (2008) is an English rock number. He voiced his first Malayalam song “Rahasyamay” in 2009 for the film Puthiya Mukham. He voiced his Bengali song, Akasher Nile, in 2011 for the film Faande Poriya Boga Kaande Re, Aye Khuda, for Password. In 2013, KK lent his voice to the song “Rose of My Heart” for an international album “Rise Up (Colors of Peace),” by Turkish poet Fethullah Gülen. The album contained songs sung by different artists from 12 countries. The song “Ved Lagale Hey” from the film Friendship Dot Com (2014) marked KK’s debut in the Marathi film industry. Thereafter, he lent his voice to various Marathi songs like “Hi Tarunai” from Spandan (2017). His debut Gujarati song was “Tari Mari Vato,” which was featured in the film Order Out of Order (2018). He sang for television also.
Awards
Best Singer in Non-Film Music category at Screen Awards (1999) for the album Pal.
National Award for “Tu Aashiqui Hai” from the film “Jhankaar Beats” in 2003.
Goldie Film Awards, US for the Best Playback Singer Male for the song “Chalte Jaana Hain” from the film “Life! Camera Action…” in 2012.
Best Playback Singer (Male) at Screen Awards (2009) for the song “Khuda Jaane” from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno.
Hub Awards for Best Playback Singer Male in 2005.
Filmfare Awards South (Kannada) 2010 in the category of Best Playback Singer- Male.
Eenam-Swaralaya Singer of The Year Award (2012).
Death
- On 31 May 2022, KK performed a live music concert at the fest of Gurudas College at Nazrul Mancha auditorium, in South Kolkata. In the capacity of 2500, there were almost 6000 people at the concert. That’s why the air conditioning stopped working. KK was sweating very badly because of the hot temperature and lights. Reportedly, around 10.30 p.m., when the singer reached his hotel, he complained of feeling unwell following which he was rushed to a city hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
He was 53 years old at the time of his death.
On 1 June 2022, Kolkata Police registered a case of unnatural death to investigate the causes. The autopsy report mentioned myocardial infarction (heart attack) as the likely cause of death.
According to the doctor who conducted the autopsy, KK could have survived if he had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately after falling unconscious. He was having pain in his shoulder and arm in the last few days and had informed his wife about his condition. He mistook the cause of the pain for digestive issues and was consuming antacids; on his last day, he again complained of pain. According to the autopsy report, his heart had 80% blockage.
Funeral
- KK was given a gun salute by the West Bengal government. Film and music industry personalities and politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered their condolences. His remains were then brought to Mumbai and his funeral was held at the Versova Hindu Cemetery on the following day, 2 June. It was attended by family members, friends, and colleagues.
Top 13 Interesting Facts Of KK
The first-ever song he performed on stage was Fernando by ABBA.
The song ‘Maa’ from the film “Taare Zameen Par (2007),” was initially recorded by KK. After recording the song KK went on a vacation. He was later asked to make a few changes to the song, but as he was unable to do so, the song went to Shankar Mahadevan.
In August 2021, he bought an Audi RS5.
Interestingly, the popular singer had never undergone formal training in music.
In the reality show Fame Gurukul, he was invited as a Jury member.
He had given his voice to more than 500 Hindi and 200 songs in other languages.
He also worked as a Marketing executive for six months after completing his studies.
KK’s musical journey began by listening to his mother’s Malayali songs which were recorded by his father on a tape recorder.
KK started taking singing seriously in the second grade after a unanimously positive reception to the song ‘Jab Andhera Hota Hai’ from Raja Rani (1973) when he performed the song on stage.
KK liked being an underdog in the music industry but what disheartened him was the fact that those who liked his music never really spared five minutes to check the name of the singer.
KK was a diehard fan of another legendary KK a.k.a Kishore Kumar.
KK’s last released song was Yeh Hausle from Ranveer Singh starrer sports drama 83. It was composed by Pritam and penned by Kausar Munir.
KK made a rare appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show in February 2022, along with Shaan and Dr. Palash Sen.
Satabdi Maity
Writer
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