KK's life: From college band and selling typewriters to becoming an iconic singer

Playback singer and songwriter KK's sudden demise has shocked the nation. He died hours after performing at a concert at Nazrul Manch in Kolkata late on Tuesday. He reportedly fell sick after the performance and was taken to a private hospital where the 53-year-old singer was declared dead on arrival.

KK's last concert at Kolkata. (Pic credit: kk_live_now via Instagram)

Named Krishnakumar Kunnath by his Malayalee parents, KK was born in Delhi in 1968. He studied at Mount St Mary's School. Growing up, he was greatly influenced by singers like Kishore Kumar and music director RD Burman. However, he never underwent any musical training.

While pursuing graduation from Kirori Mal College in commerce, he was the lead singer of the band 'Horizon'. This bank also had Gautam Chikermane, now a writer and the vice-president at Observer Research Foundation, along with Julius, Franz, Tom, and Sandeep.

Remembering the college band days Chikermane took to Twitter, saying the boys would go to college festivals (IIT Kanpur and Delhi, SRCC and Hindu) and won prizes (mostly first, or second). He recalled they even played professionally at the Siri Fort Auditorium where they earned Rs 5,000 for the night.

KK, as per Chikermane, had shared with him that he had to sell typewriters for a living when life hit him. He left the job and started singing in hotels but did not like the experience to have people eating and drinking while he sang.

In 1994, KK finally moved to Mumbai and gave his demo tape to music composers Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot, and Leslee Lewis. They gave him his first break in the music arena. KK was then called by UTV for an ad jingle for Santogen Suiting ad.

From that day on, he never looked back. In a span of just four years, he sang more than 3,500 jingles across 11 languages. He always remained grateful to his mentor Leslee Lewis for giving him his first break.

Also Read: The memory remains of KK as a school rockstar trained by Loy Mendonsa

KK got his playback singing break with AR Rahman's hit songs Kalluri Saaley and Hello Dr. Not long after, he sang a small portion of the song Chhod Aaye Hum from Gulzar's movie Maachis (1996).

After a three-year wait, he got his first big Bollywood break with the blockbuster song Tadap Tadap from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). The same year, KK released his first album Pal, which became an instant success. The songs Pal and Yaaron still hold a special place in all our hearts.

Over a music career spanning more than two decades, KK delivered several hit songs, including Tu Aashiqui Hai (2003), Dus Bahane (Dus, 2005), Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (2006), Ankhon Mein Teri (2007), Khuda Jaane (2008), Dil Ibaadat (2009), Piya Aaye Na (2013), and Tune Maari Entriyaan (Gunday, 2014), among others.

Not only for movies, but KK also gave voice to a number of daily soap songs. He sang songs for shows such as Hip Hip Hurray, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, and Kkavyanjali.

Among his last ventures was a qawwali, Chadta Suraj, that he recorded for MTV India Coke Studio with Sabri Brothers. He also sang a recomposed version of his 2003 hit Tu Aashiqui Hai.

From established music composers to first-timers, KK worked with everyone. KK was known to be a “complete family man”. He is survived by his wife Jyothy Krishna and their two children, Nakul Krishna Kunnath and Tamara Kunnath.

His close ones said the singer led a simple life despite all his fame and success. In the age of social media, where even a single statement can trigger uproar, KK never got embroiled in any controversy.

Soon after his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief in a tweet.