KK - Biography, Songs, Career, Age, Family, Wife

Profile Summary

Table of Content

• Biography   

• Education 

• Family

• KK’s Wife

• Career

• Tamil songs 

• Television

• Top 5 Songs of KK

• Best Songs of KK From Each Year

• Awards

• Interesting Facts

• Death

• How to book a personalised celebrity video wish from a celebrity similar to KK?

Biography 

Krishnakumar Kunnath (23 August 1968 – 31 May 2022), generally 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 cinematic debut in 1996 on an A. R. Rahman soundtrack.

Pal, his debut album, was published in 1999. The album's songs Pal and Yaaron grew popular and are now played at 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).

He won the Best Playback Singer - Male Screen Award in 2009 for the song Khuda Jaane from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno. KK was nominated for six Filmfare Awards.

Education 

KK Completed his schooling at Mount St Mary's School in Delhi and Went to Kirori Mal College at Delhi University. 

Family

KK belonged to a Malayali family hailing from Kerala’s Thrissur district. His father’s name is C. S. Nair and his mother’s name is Kunnath Kanakavalli.

KK’s Wife  

In 1991, KK got married to his longtime girlfriend Jyothy Lakshmi Krishna. She is a professional painter. 

He was unemployed at the time, so he took a job in sales to marry her. He worked in sales for six months in order to be eligible for marriage.

They have a son named Nakul Krishna Kunnath and a daughter named Tamara Kunnath. Both of them are singers, music composers, and music producers.

Career

After graduating from Kirori Mal College with a degree in commerce, KK worked as a marketing executive for six months before pursuing his passion for music. He battled to make a name for himself in the cutthroat recording industry, singing in hotels to make ends meet. In 1994, KK relocated to Mumbai.

In 1994, KK gave a demo tape to Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot and Lesle Lewis. He was approached by UTV and asked to sing a jingle for a Santogen Suiting commercial. In a four-year period, KK sang approximately 3,500 jingles in 11 languages. He considers Lesle Lewis his mentor for giving him his first jingle to sing in Mumbai. KK subsequently went on to work as a playback vocalist, beginning with A. R. Rahman's Kalluri Saaley and Hello Dr. from Kadir's Kadhal Desam and Strawberry Kannae from AVM Productions' 1997 musical film, Minsara Kanavu.

KK made his Bollywood debut in 1999 with the song Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se from the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. He had previously performed parts of Chhod Aaye Hum in Gulzar's Maachis (1996). KK saw Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se as a turning point in his career. Other popular songs from the films include 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), 

Tamil songs 

KK performed hit songs in a variety of languages, including Tamil. His songs, according to Outlook, characterised Tamil film music in the 2000s and became part of Tamil culture. KK's Tamil song Appadi Podu became popular in India in 2004 and was played at clubs and weddings. He collaborated with A. R. Rahman on the hit song Strawberry Kanne in 1997.

During the 2000s, he had a decade of hit singles. In 2001, KK sang Love Pannu for Harris Jayaraj, followed by Kadhal Oru Thani Katchi and Gundu Gundu Ponne. Harris Jayaraj composed two of his successes in 2003: Uyirin Uyire and Kalyanam Dhaan Kattitkittu. Uyirin Uyire grew popular in cities, and Kalyanam Dhaan Kattitkittu spread throughout Tamil Nadu.

Yuvan Shankar Raja's composition Kadhal Valarthen was performed by KK. He collaborated with Harris Jayaraj and Yuvan Shankar Raja on two successful songs: Kadhalikkum Aasai and Ninaithu Ninaithu. Harris Jayaraj's composition Andankaaka Kondaikaari was another hit. KK performed the song Annanoda Paatu in the film Chandramukhi. Other hit Tamil songs include Pani Thuli, Olikuchi Udambukari, and Lelakku Lelakku Lela. Despite being born in Thrissur to a Malayali family, KK sang only one Malayalam song in his 25-year career: Rahasyamay in Puthiya Mukham (2009).

Television

He performed various songs for television shows such as Just Mohabbat, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Kuch Jhuki Si Palkein, Hip Hip Hurray, Kkavyanjali, and Just Dance.  KK served on the Fame Gurukul talent show's jury.

In 2008, he performed Tanha Chala on the Pakistani TV show The Ghost, which aired on Hum TV. Farrukh Abid and Shoiab Farrukh composed the song, and Momina Duraid wrote the lyrics.

KK sang the qawwali Chadta Suraj with the Sabri Brothers and a repeat of Tu Aashiqui Hai from Jhankaar Beats on MTV India's musical show Coke Studio. He appeared on the Aaj Tak channel's Surili Baat. KK appeared on Sony Mix and MTV Unplugged, both of which broadcast on MTV on January 11, 2014. In April 2014, he delivered his Salaam Dubai 2014 concert in Dubai, and he also played in Goa, Dubai, Chennai, and Hong Kong.

On August 29, 2015, KK debuted as a judge and guest jury member on season two of the television singing competition show Indian Idol Junior. He appeared on the Sony Mix show Baaton Baaton Mein on September 13, that year. In a 2019 interview with the Hindustan Times, KK stated that he was involved in the music industry through live concerts and playback singing. He was pleased with his live performances; he did not want to relinquish his commitment to the audience and wanted to release a new record following the success of his second album in 2008.

Top 5 Songs of KK

Tadap Tadap Play

Tadap Tadap is a popular Hindi song from the 1999 Bollywood film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Krishnakumar Kunnath (KK) and Dominique Cerejo perform the song, which was created by Ismail Darbar and has lyrics by Mehboob.

The success of Tadap Tadap increased KK's popularity and established him as an accomplished playback singer in the industry. The song is still beloved by fans and is regarded as one of KK's most memorable songs.

Aankhon Mein Teri

Aankhon Mein Teri is a popular Hindi song from the 2007 Bollywood film Om Shanti Om. Krishnakumar Kunnath (KK) sings the song, which was written by Vishal-Shekhar and has lyrics by Vishal Dadlani.

The success of Aankhon Mein Teri cemented KK's reputation as a talented playback singer and helped boost the popularity of the film's soundtrack. Listeners continue to love the song for its romantic appeal and distinctive tune.

Pyar Ke Pal

Krishnakumar Kunnath (KK) sings the renowned Hindi song Pyar Ke Pal. The song was released as part of the Bollywood film Mittal v/s Mittal in 2006. Mithoon Sharma composed the music, and Sayeed Quadri wrote the lyrics.

KK's rendition of Pyar Ke Pal cemented his standing as a talented playback singer in the Indian music industry, while also expanding his repertoire of popular romantic songs.

Yaaron

Krishnakumar Kunnath's (KK) renowned Hindi song Yaaron The song was released in 1998 as part of the album Pal by Euphoria.

Palash Sen and DJ Bhaduri composed the song, which combines melodic melodies with explosive rock elements. The music arrangement incorporates acoustic and electric guitars, percussion, and bass to create a catchy and upbeat feel.

Yaaron became a huge hit due to its addictive energy, accessible lyrics, and KK's dramatic vocals. It became a friendship song and was frequently played at college events, parties, and gatherings. The song's broad appeal and feel-good emotions have elevated it to the status of timeless classic.

Khuda Jaane

PlayKhuda Jaane is a popular Hindi song from the 2008 Bollywood film Bachna Ae Haseeno. Krishnakumar Kunnath (KK) and Shilpa Rao perform the song, which was composed by Vishal-Shekhar and has lyrics by Anvita Dutt Guptan.

KK's performance of Khuda Jaane demonstrated his versatility as a singer and ability to communicate emotions through his voice. The song is still popular among lovers of romantic Bollywood music, thanks to its romantic appeal and the chemistry between the vocalists.

Khuda Jaane is known as a timeless romantic song that perfectly expresses the complexity and feelings of love.

Best Songs of KK From Each Year

Awards 

• Screen Award - Best Playback Singer - Male for the song Khuda Jaane - Won

• Filmfare Awards - Best Male Playback Singer for Tadap Tadap Ke from the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000) - Nominated

• IIFA Awards - Best Male Playback Singer for Tadap Tadap Ke from the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000) - Nominated

• Zee Cine Awards - Best Male Playback Singer for Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai - Nominated 

• IIFA Awards - Male Vocalist of The Year for Aankhon Mein Teri 

Interesting Facts

• KK had no formal musical training, KK had an emotional bandwidth which echoed all the seasons of the heart.

• Before finding success as a playback singer, KK struggled in the initial years of his career as he took a corporate Job.

Death

On May 31, 2022, KK performed in a college event at Nazrul Mancha, South Kolkata. He returned to his Esplanade hotel after the show. KK reported feeling ill on the way back to his hotel, when he suffered a heart arrest. He fell, and efforts to resuscitate him at the hotel were futile. At around 10:30 p.m., KK was transported to Calcutta Medical Research Institute, where he was pronounced dead.

The West Bengal government saluted KK at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata with a gun salute. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was there for the salute, as were film and music industry celebrities and politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. KK's remains were carried to Mumbai, and his funeral was performed the next day (2 June) at the Versova Hindu Cemetery. There were family members, friends, and colleagues in attendance.

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