KK dies after concert in Kolkata

Leading Bollywood singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, died of a suspected heart attack in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata late on Tuesday night.

“It’s unfortunate that we could not treat him,” a senior official of the hospital said.

Local media reports said that the 53-year-old singer fell down the stairs of a private hotel in Kolkata where he was staying, hours after a concert in the city’s Nazrul Mancha auditorium. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

KK had performed in to back-to-back shows in Kolkata in the past two days. After the incident his wife Jyothi and two children, Nakul Krishna Kunnath, and a daughter, Tamara Kunnath have reached Kolkata on early Wednesday morning.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Bollywood celebrities took to Twitter to express their condolences on KK’s demise.

“Saddened by the untimely demise of noted singer Krishnakumar Kunnath popularly known as KK.

His songs reflected a wide range of emotions and struck a chord with people of all age groups. We will always remember him through his songs. Condolences to his family and fans,” Modi wrote.

“Extremely sad and shocked to know of the sad demise of KK. What a loss! Om Shanti,” Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar tweeted.

The tragic news of popular Bollywood singer Krishnakumar Kunnath’s (KK) untimely death came as a shock to celebrities in Bangladesh as well, with many taking to social media to pay their tributes to the departed soul.

Versatile singer Runa Laila wrote on her timeline, “Just heard the terrible news that KK passed away a little while ago. No words to express my sorrow. This picture was taken at the press meet the day before the celebration of my 50 years in the music industry, organised by Samreen Islam, where KK sang.”

Singer Asif Akbar wrote, “Goodbye KK. Respect for your royal singing. I am paying my last respect to you.”

Musician Prince Mahmud wrote on his timeline, “Dear KK, You are the one who brought modernity to the Indian music industry. I haven’t heard such a voice ever before. Times have passed but I still couldn’t find one voice like yours yet. You were a real musician! Such a rare and heavenly voice it is. Ah! How can I forget this tune in your voice,”Hum rahen ya na rahen, Yaad aayenge ye pal.” I am literally in tears and out of any words. In my mind I am thinking, “Agar mile khuda toh, poochhonga khudaya” that why did he take someone he had blessed so much up this early? Why?”

Expressing condolence, popular singer-music director and Coke Studio Bangla producer Shayan Chowdhury Arnob wrote: “KRISHNAKUMAR KUNNATH, Rest in peace.”

Reminiscing fond memories of covering the song ‘Pal,’ singer-journalist Elita Karim wrote: “The death of KK is, for sure, an end of an era. May you rest in peace, dearest KK. The day today will be a tough one.”

Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan wrote on his Facebook page: “Rest in Peace KK, the VOICE OF LOVE. Your songs will keep your name alive forever!!”

Filmmaker Amitabh Reza Chowdhury voiced the frustration which many of the fans have been asking since last night, writing: “The man died. How did none of the people realise he had a cardiac problem?”

However, paying a heartfelt tribute to the late iconic singer, Gaan Bangla Managing Director-CEO and music director Taposh shared a live video from his verified page featuring renowned singers Parvez, Balam, Protik Hasan, Puja and more, chorusing the song ‘Pal’ together.

Besides, billions of fans across the world have been mourning and sharing their fond memories with his mesmerising singles and Bollywood tracks, such as ‘Yaaron’, ‘O Meri Jaan’, ‘Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai’, ‘Ajab Si’, ‘Khuda Jane’, ‘Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai’ and many more.

Regarded as one of the most versatile singers of his generation, KK recorded songs in a number of Indian regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Assamese apart from Hindi. He shot to fame in the late 1990s for songs like ‘Pal’ and ‘Yaaron’.

KK released his first album, Pal in 1999. The singer-composer, whose real name was Krishnakumar Kunnath then focussed more on Bollywood than on his independent music, giving hits such as Tadap Tadap (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, 1999), Dus Bahane (Dus, 2005), and Tune Maari Entriyaan (Gunday, 2014).

He was born in Delhi and was also known for his electric live shows. His Instagram page had been sharing updates from his concert in Kolkata as recently as eight hours ago.