Singer Krishnakumar Kunnath’s death has come as a shocker for the Tamil film music industry. Known as KK, he has a long list of Tamil superhit songs to his credit.
KK’s mesmerising voice was a sensation for those who grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s. Introduced to the Tamil film industry by A.R. Rahman, KK brought in an expressive and emotive voice that delivered both soulful and peppy numbers.
Having started his journey in the Tamil music industry with Rahman, KK’s first song was 'Kallooori Salai' from the movie Kadhal Desam. After Rahman, music composers Harris Jayaraj, Vidhyasagar and Yuvan Shankar Raja roped in KK to deliver super hit numbers that formed part of Tamil pop culture. In 2001 KK gave Tamil fans the evergreen 'Love Pannu (oru poonnagey poovey)' from 12B composed by Harris Jayaraj. And then came 'Kadhal oru Thani Katchi' in actor Vijay’s Shahjahan, followed by 'Goondu Gooondu Penne' in actor Vikram’s Dhool.
'Annanoda Pattu' from superstar Rajinikanth’s Chandramukhi, songs like 'Pani Thuli', from Kanda Naal Mudhal, 'Ollikuchi Odambukkari', 'Oru vaartha solla', were all hits among the youth in the early 2000s. The joy of 'Pathukulley Number Onnu Sollu' from Kamal Hasaan’s Vasool Raja MBBS and the peppiness in 'Kalayanam Dhan Kattikittu Odi Polama' from Vikram’s Saami to the sheer energy in his voice in Appadi Podu, from Vijay’s Gilli will always be remembered.
KK’s most popular song in the Tamil music industry is 'Uyirin Uyire' in Kaakha Kaakha starring Suriya and Jyothika. While the film took Suriya's acting career to new heights, the fast-paced romantic number captured hearts. And then the grief in his voice in 'Ninaithu Ninaithu Paarthen' in the movie 7G Rainbow Colony and the unbeatable energy in his voice in 'Khadhalikkum Aasai' from the movie Chellame will forever be remembered by music lovers.