Krishnakumar Kunnath, nee KK, was a playback singer in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odiya, Bengali, Assamese, and Gujarati languages. His soulful, smooth voice captivated audiences for over two decades.
Born in Trichur and brought up in Delhi to Malayali parents, he graduated from Kirori Mal College, Delhi, and then sold typewriters before pursuing his passion for music. Though not formally trained in music, KK was born into a musical family.
A family man, he fiercely protected his privacy. Media shy, one hardly saw his photos in the media.
Moving to Mumbai in 1994, KK initially performed in hotels for a living. But his swadharma lay in a parallel universe–in chords and beats; melodies and lyrics; lights, sounds, and performances. He started as a jingle singer when he presented his demo tapes to Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot, and Leslie Lewis in 1994 and finally secured a break from the UTV Media when he voiced a one-minute jingle for Santogen Suitings.
Soon with 3,500 jingles in eleven Indian languages under his belt, which included Yo Frooti and Pepsi’s Yeh Dil Mange More, Colgate Gel, Nerolac Paint, Hero Honda, Double mint chewing gum, etc., he also lent his voice to the song ‘Josh of India’ during the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
The same year, he released his first album, Pal. The melodious pop-rock songs Aap Ki Dua, Yaaron and the title track Pal were instant hits and got him The Star Screen Award for Best Solo Record in the Non-Film Music category. His second solo album, Humsafar, in 2008 gave huge hits including, Aasman Ke, Dekho Na, Yeh Kahan Mil Gaye Hum and Rain Bhari Kaari.
He then transitioned into a playback singer, starting with dubbing for A.R. Rahman’s Kalluri Saaley and Hello Dr. from Kadir’s ‘Kadhal Desam’ and then Strawberry Kannae for AVM Production’s 1997 Tamil musical film ‘Minsara Kanavu’. Collaborating with Tamil music directors Harris Jayaraj and Yuvan Shankar Raja and others, he released successful songs linked with Tamil pop culture in the 2000s. In 2004, his Tamil song Appadi Podu became popular pan India. Though a Malayali, sadly he sang only one Malayalam song Rahasyamay from Puthiya Mukham (2009).
Chhod Aaye Hum Woh Galiya from ‘Maachis’ (1996) gave him his first Bollywood playback singer break. He later shot to fame with the chartbuster song Tadap Tadap from the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. In 2001, Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, and KK collaboratively voiced the crowd-puller song Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe, for the film Dil Chahta Hai.
Then came numerous hit songs like Such Keh Raha Hai from Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Zara Sa and Dil Ibaadat from Jannat, and Piya Aaye Na from Aashiqui 2. His other popular songs included Dola Re Dola, Kya
Mujhe Pyaar Hai, Aankhon Mein Teri, Khuda Jane, Piya Aaye Na, Mat Aazma Re, India Wale, Tu Jo Mila, Zara Sa, Dus Bahane, Pyaar Ke Pal, Zindagi Do Pal Ki, Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai, HumRahe Ya Na Rahe Kal, Tune Maari Entriyaan, etc.
He also gave his voice to title songs of various Indian TV shows and also appeared as a judge and jury member in many music talent shows. In 2009, he won the Screen Awards, Best Playback Singer – Male for his song Khuda Jaane for the film Bachna Ae Haseeno; National Award for Tu Aashiqui Hai from the film Jhankaar Beats in 2003, etc. He also received six Filmfare Award nominations.
On 31 May 2022, KK performed at an overcrowded live music concert in the Gurudas College festival at Nazrul Mancha auditorium, in South Kolkata. Returning to his hotel he died of a cardiac arrest, aged just 53. He was cremated in Mumbai and is survived by his wife Jyothy Krishna, son Nakul and daughter Taamara.