New Delhi: Popular singer Krishnakumar Kunath, popularly known as KK, died on Tuesday evening in Kolkata, where he was performing at the Nazrul Manch for the Gurudas College celebrations. The singer was feeling unwell and his health deteriorated after reaching the hotel. He was taken to the hospital where he was declared ‘brought dead’. KK was only 53 years old. The reason for his sudden demise is a doctor’s suspected cardiac arrest. The sad news has shook Bollywood and the Indian music industry. KK is survived by his wife Jyoti Krishna and two children – son Nakul Krishna Kunnath and daughter Tamara Kunnath. Jyoti was a childhood friend of KK, whom she married in 1991.
KK’s family will reach Kolkata today
West Bengal Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Arup Biswas told media persons that KK’s body has been sent for post-mortem. “His family members have been informed. He is likely to reach Kolkata on Wednesday morning,” Biswas said. He was quoted by news agency IANS.
‘KK was a family man’
Singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo on Wednesday recalled his memories of KK and told news agency ANI that the singer was a family man and lived a simple life, adding that he never saw KK attend many parties.
“KK was a great singer and a family man. He lived a simple and quiet life. I have never seen him go to many parties. I have so many memories with him,” ANI quoted Supriyo as saying.
KK Early life and career
KK was born on 23 August 1968 in Delhi to Malayali parents CS Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli. The singer was also brought up in Delhi. The versatile singer has recorded songs in languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi and Bengali among others. His debut album ‘Pal’ came in 1999. He soon sang for several films, and gave chartbusting numbers.
KK first got recognition after he song for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, which starred Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn. He gained accolades for his heartbreaking yet soulful voice in the hit track ‘Tadap Tadap’. The man with the golden voice will be remembered for his songs like ‘Pyaar Ke Pal’, ‘Yaaron’, ‘O Meri Jaan’, ‘Khuda Jaane’, ‘Zara sa’, ‘Dil Ibaadat’, ‘Sach Keh Raha Hai Deewana’ ‘ among others.