Biography:

Krishnakumar Kunnath (23 August 1968 – 31 May 2022), popularly known as KK, was an Indian playback singer. He recorded songs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati. KK began his career by singing advertising jingles and made his film debut in 1996 on an A. R. Rahman soundtrack.^[1][2][3]

He released his debut album, Pal in 1999. The songs “Pal” and “Yaaron” from the album became popular, and are used in school graduations. His popular songs included “Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), the Tamil song “Apadi Podu”, “Dola Re Dola” from Devdas (2002), “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).^[4]

He received the 2009 Best Playback Singer – Male Screen Award for “Khuda Jaane”, from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno. KK received six Filmfare Awards nominations.

Early life

Born in Delhi on 23 August 1968 to Malayali parents, Krishnakumar Kunnath grew up in New Delhi.^[5] He sang 3,500 jingles before breaking into Bollywood.^[6]

KK attended Delhi’s Mount St Mary’s School,^[6] and Kirori Mal College,^[7] Delhi University. He appeared in the song “Josh of India”, released to support the Indian national team during the 1999 Cricket World Cup.^[8]

KK married Jyothy in 1991.^[9] His son, Nakul Krishna Kunnath, sang “Masti” (from his album, Humsafar) with him.^[10] KK also had a daughter.^[11]

Career

After receiving a degree in commerce from Kirori Mal College, KK spent six months as a marketing executive before pursuing his love of music. He struggled to establish himself in the competitive recording industry, singing at hotels to make ends meet.^[12][13] KK moved to Mumbai in 1994.^[9]

Vocals and musical style

He had no formal musical training.^[14] According to film director Mahesh Bhatt, “KK had an emotional bandwidth which echoed all the seasons of the heart. He could be frivolous, romantic and anguished. He could go into the depths, talk about the wonder and magic of life.”^[15]

KK believed that it was unimportant for a singer’s face to be seen, but “a singer must be heard”.^[16] In a 2019 interview, he said that he felt comfortable with a microphone but awkward in front of a camera. KK valued and “fiercely” protected his privacy.^[17] He did not want his singing to be associated with a particular actor and preferred singing for a number of actors.^[18]

Playback singing

In 1994, KK gave a demo tape to Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot and Lesle Lewis. He was called by UTV, and sang a jingle for a Santogen Suiting ad.^[10] In a four-year period, KK sang over 3,500 jingles in 11 languages. He considered Lesle Lewis his mentor for giving him his first jingle to sing in Mumbai.^[9] KK then became a playback singer, beginning with A. R. Rahman‘s “Kalluri Saaley” and “Hello Dr.” from Kadir’s Kadhal Desam and “Strawberry Kannae” from AVM Productions‘s 1997 musical film, Minsara Kanavu.^[19]

Credits: