The statue of the singer was placed where he performed his last concert

ANI |
UPDATED: May 31, 2023 23:39 IST

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 31 (ANI): In a fitting tribute to singer KK on his first death anniversary on Wednesday, a statue was installed at Gurudas Mahavidyalaya in Kolkata. It is the same college where the ‘Yaad Aayenge Ye Pal’ hitmaker performed his last concert before leaving for his heavenly abode.

Some flowers were placed by students and staff at KK’s statue to pay tribute to the iconic artist. The college administration also gave a musical touch to the installation ceremony.

Speaking to ANI, local councilor Amal Chakraborty said, “KK was a magical man with his magical voice. It is very sad that the Gurudas College event was his last concert.”
Late singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, fondly called KK, breathed his last on the evening of 31st May. The 53-year-old singer died while performing for a college festival in Kolkata’s Nazrul Mancha. After feeling unwell during the performance, he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to reports, the cause of death was cardiac arrest.

KK made his debut as a playback singer in Kadir’s ‘Kadhal Desam’ with AR Rahman’s hit songs ‘Kalluri Saaley’ and ‘Hello Dr. and then in AVM Productions musical ‘Minsara Kanavu’ with ‘Strawberry Kannae’. Finally, in 1999, he made his debut as a Bollywood playback singer with ‘Tadap Tadap’ in ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’.
Although, before that, she had sung a small part of the song ‘Chhod Aaye Hum’ from Gulzar’s ‘Maachis’. In the same year, he came out with his debut solo album titled ‘Pal’ with Leslie Lewis composing the music.
Every 90s kid will always remember KK for his album title track ‘Pal’ and also ‘Yaaron’ which gave most kids school friendship goals. His voice created a connection with listeners that left them wanting more and such was the emotional connection that even today, these songs are played at school and office farewells. KK was also featured in the song ‘Josh of India’ in support of the Indian Cricket Team during the 1999 Cricket World Cup.

He then sang ‘Jab Bhi Koi Haseena’ for the film ‘Hera Pheri’ and by 2001, KK had sung songs like ‘Jhanak Jhanak Baaje’ for the film ‘Farz’, ‘Mil Jaye Khazana’ for ‘Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar”. and ‘Aaja Gufaon Mein’ for ‘Aks’. The following year he sang ‘Dola Re Dola’ and ‘Maar Daala’ for the film ‘Devdas’ and ‘Bardaasht’ for Abbas Mastan’s ‘Humraaz’. In the following years, he continued to give Bollywood hit numbers in many films and finally in In the year 2008, KK released his second album “Humsafar” where the song “Raina Bhai Kaari” was a mix of Bengali Baul with rock and had a tinge of SD Burman. Besides, KK had also sung an English rock ballad ‘Cineraria’. 2010 saw him singing songs like ‘Zindagi Do Pal Ki’ and ‘Dil Kyun Yeh Mera’ for the film ‘Kites’. In 2013, KK sang for an international album, “Rise Up – Colors of Peace”, which consists of songs written by Turkish poet Fethullah Gülen and sung by artists from 12 countries. He recorded a song called ‘Rose of My Heart’ for the album.
During his nearly 3-decade career, KK has sung more than 500 songs in Hindi and more than 200 songs in Telugu, Bengali, Kannada and Malayalam.
He also received various accolades including two Screen Awards for Best Playback Singer-Male (Non-Film Music) and many more. KK had married his childhood sweetheart Jyothi Krishna in 1991 and they had two children, Nakul and Taamara. (A I)