KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath)- Wiki, Biography, Death, Age, Songs, Movies, Albums, Wife, Children, Awards, Parents, Hometown, Career, and More
Full Name
DOB
Hometown
Popular Name
Death Date and Cause
Known For
Biography
Krishnakumar Kunnath aka KK was a popular Indian singer, composer, and lyricist, who is well-known for singing numerous romantic songs for Hindi movies. Besides, he recorded songs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, and Gujarati languages films. He was one of the most versatile singers of his generation. His zodiac sign was Virgo. KK went to Mount St. Mary’s School, Delhi, India. After that, he went to Kirori Mal College, Delhi, India. He did his graduation in Commerce. KK died of a cardiac arrest in Kolkata at The Grand Hotel during his performance at College fest on the night of May 31, 2022.
Physical Statistics
Height – 5’5″ (in feet inches), 165 cm (in centiemter), 1.65 m (in meter)
Weight – 65 kg (in kilogram)
Eye Color – Black
Hair Color- Black
Parents/Family/Siblings
KK was born in Delhi to Hindu Malayali parents named, C.S. Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli. He was born and brought up in New Delhi.
Relationships
KK was married to Jyothy Krishna in 1991. Jyothy was his childhood love. They both have a son named, Nakul Krishna Kunnath, who even sang the song ‘Masti’ with him for one of his albums named Humsafar. He also has one daughter, Tamara Kunnath.
Career
KK had worked as a marketing executive for six months after he graduated from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University in Commerce. In 1994, KK moved to Mumbai, India.
Playback Singing
In 1994, KK gave his demo tape to Louis Banks, Lesle Lewis, and Ranjit Barot to start his career in music. After that, KK was called by UTV, where he sang a jingle for the Santogen Suiting ad. Just within four years after he started his career as a playback singer, he sang more than 3500 jingles across almost 11 languages.
KK got his first break with UTV to sing jingles in Mumbai. He always considered Lesle Lewis as his idol and mentor, who gave him his first jingle to sing back then in Mumbai, India. After that, KK was introduced to A.R. Rahman for singing a hit songs named ‘Kalluri Saaley’ and ‘Hello Dr.’ followed by ‘Strawberry Kannae’ from the movie Minsara Kanavu (1997).
Then, KK got his break in Bollywood with the song ‘Tadap Tadap’ from the hit movie, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam starring Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, and Aishwarya Rai in the leading roles. However, KK even sang the song ‘Chhod Aaye Hum’ from the movie, Maachis in 1996.
Television and Albums
Albums
After giving two hit songs, in 1999, when Sony Music was finding a new artiste, KK was chosen as that new artiste, after which he released his solo album named Pal. In this album, Lesle Lewis composed the music for KK. Lesle even composed, arranged, and produced the album. The lyrics were written by Mehboob. Right after the release, the songs Yaaron and Aap Ki Dua went viral and almost everyone was singing them. These songs literally ruled the youngsters and even the music charts. Yaaron became a sort of anthem for friends and friendship. This entire album created history in the music industry. ‘Pal’ was the first album released by KK under Sony Music. And, this very album got KK an award – Screen Award as Best Singer.
In 2008, on 22 January, KK released his second album titled, Humsafar. And, the gap between his first and second album was almost 8 years. The famous songs from his second album were Aasman Ke, Rain Bhai Kaari (Maajhi), and Yeh Kahan Mil Gaye Hum. Apart from making his career in Bollywood, KK has also sung an English Rock Ballad, Cineraria. The title track from his second album, Hamsafar, is a combination of Hindi and English lyrics. Almost 8 songs in this album were composed by KK himself.
Television
KK was also working for TV, where he sang serial songs, including Hip Hip Hurray, Kkavyanjali, Just Mohabbat, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Kuch Jhuki Si Palkein, and Just Dance. The theme song for Star Parivaar Awards (2010) was also sung by KK along with another tremendous singer of India, Shreya Ghoshal. KK was also seen on TV as a jury member for a talent hunt show, Fame Gurukul.
Besides Indian TV serials, KK also sang a song named ‘Tanha Chala’ for a Pakistani TV show called The Ghost in 2008. He was also seen on the musical venture of MTV India Coke Studio. He sang a qawwali there, titled Chadta Suraj along with a recomposed version of his own track, Tu Aashiqui Hai from the Bollywood movie, Jhankaar Beats. Other than that, KK was also seen on Aaj Tak Channel in Surili Baat. He also performed in MTV Unplugged Season 3 and Sony Mix TV Show. In 2014, KK had a concert in Salaam Dubai 2014 apart from concerts in other places like Chennai, Goa, and Hong Kong.
In 2015, KK was seen on the TV reality singing show, Indian Idol Junior Season 2. He performed various songs on this show, including Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar, Khuda Jaane, Ajab Si, Sach Keh Raha Hai Deewana, and many other songs. KK was see on Baaton Baaton Mei on Sony Mix on 13 September 2015.
Interesting Facts About KK
1. KK never underwent any formal training in music, yet he was one of the most influential singers in India.
2. Other famous singers like Pritam, Arijit Singh, and Ankit Tiwari appreciated KK’s music and admired his work.
3. His favorite foods were South Indian dishes, baked food, and pastries.
4. KK’s favorite actors were Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Irrfan Khan, and Akshay Kumar.
5. His favorite actresses were Aishwarya Rai, Raveen Tandon, and Kareena Kapoor.
6. KK always admired A.R. Rahman, Hariharan, Shaan, R.D. Burman, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar from Bollywood and Bryan Adams, Billy Joel, and Michael Jackson from Hollywood.
7. He loved to play guitar and other musical instruments.
Awards
- He won in 2009 – Best Playback Singer – Male “Khuda Jaane” (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Death (1968-2022)
KK died on 31st May 2022 due to cardiac arrest at The Grand Hotel in Kolkata, after he finished his performance in a College fest on Nazrul Mancha on the night of 31st May 2022.
Minister Arup Biswas said about KK’s death,
Singer Anupam Roy called me up and said he is hearing something bad from the hospital. Then I contacted the hospital. They said he was brought dead. Then I rushed to the hospital.”
Singer Harshdeep Kaur expressed shock at his death.
Just can’t believe that our beloved #KK is no more. This really can’t be true. The voice of love has gone. This is heartbreaking.”
Actor Akshay Kumar wrote,
Extremely sad and shocked to know of the sad demise of KK. What a loss! Om Shanti.”
Filmmaker Srijit Mukerji wrote on Facebook,
In a state of total shock. Just met him last month for the first time and it seemed that we had known each other for years. The chatter wouldn’t just stop. And I was so moved to see the love he had for Gulzar saab. He said he stepped into the film world with Chhor aaye hum and sang it to him as a tribute. Farewell, my newest friend. Will miss you. I wish we could have had more sessions on music and food and cinema.”