Kolkata: Singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, passed away in Kolkata on the night of Tuesday, May 31, officials said. He was 53.
He is survived by his wife and two children who will reach Kolkata on Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday, KK performed at a concert organised by Gurudas College at Nazrul Mancha in south Kolkata for almost an hour in the evening. He had performed at the venue on Monday as well.
Last Performance , Last Picture 💔
#KK #RIPKK pic.twitter.com/LOrqrZTsxB— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) May 31, 2022
He was “feeling heavy” after reaching his hotel, and collapsed, officials said. He was taken to a nearby private hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
“KK was brought to the hospital around 10 pm. It’s unfortunate that we could not treat him,” a senior official of the hospital said.
Doctors at the hospital said they suspected “cardiac arrest” to be the cause of the death.
A senior officer of the Kolkata Police told PTI that a post-mortem would be conducted on Wednesday to ascertain the exact reason for the death. An ‘unnatural death’ case has been registered by Kolkata police, India Today has reported.
His death saw an outpouring of sorrow and reminiscence on social media, with many users from various walks of life observing that they were devastated at the news.
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
KK… not fair man. Not your time to go. This was the last time we were together to announce a tour together. How can you just go??? In shock. In grief. A ear dear friend, a brother is gone. RIP KK. Love you. pic.twitter.com/lCdwIRf3W6
— Mohit Chauhan (@_MohitChauhan) May 31, 2022
Black year for Indian music. Lata didi, bappi da, sidhu paaji and now KK sir. These losses.. all of them feel so personal.
— ARMAAN MALIK (@ArmaanMalik22) May 31, 2022
KK was an artist you'd discover in private. His best works were all about personal moments of loss & vulnerability.
Sach Keh Raha Hai, Tadap Tadap Ke, Yaaron, Awarapan Banjarapan, Maine Dil Se Kaha.
His voice was a candle in a dark room, a ग़म-गुसार.
Goodbye and thanks, sir. pic.twitter.com/p28vA8zoDD
— वरुण 🇮🇳 (@varungrover) May 31, 2022
Hits such as ‘Pyaar Ke Pal’ and ‘Yaaron’ made KK popular. Subsequent songs like ‘Ankhon Mein Teri’ (Om Shanti Om), ‘Zara Sa’ (Jannat), ‘Khuda Jaane’ (Bachna Ae Hasino) and ‘Tadap Tadap’ (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam) have been mentioned several times as favourites by listeners online.
From friendship to love, from heartbreak to despondency, for those growing up in the 90s, KK had a song for all our relationships and each of our emotions.
He'll continue to live on. Farewell #KK. 💔
— Kunal Purohit (@kunalpurohit) June 1, 2022
Thank you for making our lives, #KK. What would it even be, our special moments be, without songs like Pal and Yaaron.
— Surbhi Gupta (@bysurbhigupta) May 31, 2022
A versatile singer, KK has also recorded songs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi and Bengali, among other languages.
KK was my entire college life.
— PouLaMi (@Crictopher17) May 31, 2022
Fans also gathered at the hospital after hearing the news of his death.
Shibasis Banerjee, a student of Gurudas College who attended Tuesday’s concert, said the singer was full of energy during the show.
“He posed with us for selfies and also gave us autographs when we requested,” he said.
“He performed one song after another on the stage. A huge number of people gathered to see him. It is unbelievable that he is no more. I met him at such a show during the initial days of my college, when I told him that today, he instantly recognised me,” Shibasis said.
(With PTI inputs)