Singer KK dies of heart attack

Renowned singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, who was better known as KK, died of a heart attack in Kolkata on Tuesday night. He was 53. 

According to the Bengali news channel ABP Ananda, the singer had started feeling uneasy while performing at Nazrul Mancha, an auditorium in South Kolkata. He then returned to his hotel room and was subsequently brought to the Calcutta Medical Research Institute where he was declared dead. 

Earlier in the day, the artiste had posted a video announcing his show at the festival. 

Born and brought up in Delhi, KK completed his studies in the national capital before coming to Mumbai to pursue a singing career. He started off in the world of advertising, providing vocals for thousands of jingles, before making a mark as a playback singer in Hindi films and cutting popular albums in the latter part of the 1990s.

His songs were featured in films such as Salaami (1994) and Maachis (1996), and he gained popularity with the hit ‘Tadap Tadap Ke’ in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). His single ‘Pyaar Ke Pal’ also received much airplay.

In all, the artiste sang for than 300 films, including Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2000), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001), Devdas (2002), Saathiya (2002), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Gangster (2006) and Bas Ek Pal (2006).

Several prominent figures, including prime minister Narendra Modi, took to Twitter to offer their condolences.

This cannot be real.@K_K_Pal , nothing will be the same without you. Nothing. My heart is in tatters.

The voice of purity itself, of kindness of decency, of a true heart of gold. Gone.

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) May 31, 2022

I am unable to wrap my head around this news. Numb. #KK Why! This is too hard to accept! Heart is shattered in pieces.

— Shreya Ghoshal (@shreyaghoshal) May 31, 2022

Saddened by the untimely demise of noted singer Krishnakumar Kunnath popularly known as KK. His songs reflected a wide range of emotions as struck a chord with people of all age groups. We will always remember him through his songs. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 31, 2022