Krishnakumar Kunnath aka KK’s Bollywood debut anniversary: 7 iconic songs about friendship and romance
It was to be very soon that Google Doodle celebrated the 22nd anniversary of KK’s debut in Bollywood with the iconic Chhod Aaye Hum from Maachis. Here are some of his iconic songs:.
Google Doodle recently paid a tribute to KK aka Krishnakumar Kunnath on his Bollywood debut anniversary. The late singer sang his first Bollywood song, Chhod Aaye Hum, for Gulzar’s political thriller Maachis, on this day in 1995. A revisit to some of the iconic songs of KK that depict friendship and romance.
Pyaar Ke Pal (1999)
Another strong contender in KK’s collection is Yaaron, the title track of his debut solo album Pal. This song is one of his best on friendship, and the emotional song describes the feelings of close friends and the nostalgia of campus life. Among all the farewell songs in school and colleges, this is one of the most favourite.
Yaaron (1999)
Yaaron is a bonding of friends at a boarding school that studies, and KK’s soulful voice goes in tandem with the protagonist’s feelings for his friends and mentors when he stays away from his parents. One of the major USPs of Nagesh Kukunoor’s coming-of-age drama was this song.
It is The Time To Disco 2003
KK once again came with one of the most memorable songs about celebrating friendship in Nikkhil Advani’s Kal Ho Naa Ho. It’s The Time To Disco is more than just a dance track with its scintillating lyrics penned down by Javed Akhtar. KK, along with Shaan, Vasuundhara Das and Loy Mendonsa, gave one of the most evergreen songs that still remains the favourite pick for party lovers.
Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (2006)
When it came to playback singing, KK showed his versatility by proving his range. Actor Emraan Hashmi was voiced by the singer for Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai in Anurag Basu’s Gangster. Kangana Ranaut and Shiney Ahuja also appear in the film. The love song of the film has Emraan Hashmi smitten with Kangana and how he sings at a club to impress her. It is one of the best songs in the musical career of the late singer.
Aankhon Me Teri (2007)
KK’s scintillating vocals in the Farah Khan movie Om Shanti Om presented for one more time reasons why old-school romance had been forgotten till so far. His performance of unspoken emotions in Aankho Me Teri gave depth to the portrayal of character Shah Rukh Khan was singing about. The song featuring Shah Rukh and Deepika is one more milestone in KK’s career.
Khuda Jaane (2007)
Khuda Jaane of Bachna Ae Haseeno brings together lots of emotions in a single song. KK and Shilpa Rao’s duet added to the on-screen chemistry of Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the music video. The concept of unconditional love, beauty and commitment was well-packed through KK and Shilpa’s soulful rendition.
Dil Ibadat (2009)
While one again proves his range, KK also lets it out when it comes to heartbreak. Dil Ibadat from Tum Mile is an intense rendition about love, passion, attachment and pain.
-KK was his popular sobriquet. Born on 23rd August, 1968, in Delhi, KK was a highly popular playback Indian singer, and he used to sing songs in many languages. The count includes Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. KK started his career with jingle singing and then made his film debut with Maachis in 1996. KK is very much renowned for several hits from his very first album Pal, which came in the year 1999, and being the master of romanza, “Yaaron” himself was quite talented. KK is no more -he died of a heart attack in Kolkata on 31st May, 2022. The legacy he has left resonates well with the Indian music world.
Popularly known as KK, many fondly referred to him as Krishnakumar Kunnath. He started singing at a very tender age and went on to record over 3,500 jingles before making a foray into Bollywood with the song “Tadap Tadap” in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). His maiden album, Pal (1999), included hits like “Yaaron.” KK was sought for his array of the so many languages and genres, as he endeared a large number of awards in the long and riveting career of this versatile singer. The news of cardiac arrest after a Kolkata performance had fetched KK to the other world on 31 May 2022. He left with music and a rich legacy.
KK was born as Krishnakumar Kunnath. He married in the year 1991 to Jyothy Lakshmi Krishna. He has a son, Nakul Krishna Kunnath and a daughter by name Tamara Kunnath. The father was C.S. Nair while the mother was Kanakavalli. He gave much credit to his wife for permitting him to move to Mumbai with a view to taking up singing. That greatly made him the playback singer he is today in success.
KK passed away on May 31, 2022. He leaves behind a loving family and a rich musical legacy.
KK was born Krishnakumar Kunnath on August 23, 1968. His career in music started singing jingles. He recorded more than 3,500 of them in different languages. His Bollywood career started with Maachis in 1996, but he gained prominence with the song “Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999. His debut album Pal, released in 1999, featured some hits like “Yaaron.” KK is regarded as multigenerational and multilingual. He bagged numerous awards for his adaptability in different genres. He was killed on May 31, 2022, during a concert in Kolkata but still left his marks in Indian music.
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KK has performed many memorable concerts in his various jobs. Some are mentioned here
“Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, 1999: This not only made him famous but gave him all the emotions that a person could be and a vocalist to carry with it all24.
“Khuda Jaane” from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008): A number romantic, still cherished by the audiences, as it vividly outposts his capacity to represent love and lust13.
“Aankhon Mein Teri” from Om Shanti Om (2007): The song exquisitely represented the theory of silent love, adding to the rich romanticism in the movie’s storyline13.
“It’s The Time To Disco” from Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003): A party number that exemplifies his suitably strong and mass appeal across genres14.
“Yaaron” from debut Pal (1999): It instantly became an anthem for friendship and resonated with the heart of the youth.
-Here are some of KK’s lesser-known songs that deserve more recognition:
Rog (2006) – “Maine Dil Se Kaha”: A soulful number capturing a journey from loneliness to hope.
“Awarapan Banjapan” from Jism (2003): Nicely composed with “Awarapan Banjapan”, but lost in the scenario of other ‘tingle-tingling’ soundtracks of the same film .
“Ek Nazar Mein Bhi Pyar Hota Hai” from Taxi No 9211 (2006): A fun duet with KK’s “bromance” with Sunidhi Chauhan.
“Labon Ko” from Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007): An outright genius composition and yet it missed so much mileage due to more commercially successful soundtracks.
“Bas Ek Pal” from Bas Ek Pal (2006): The title track is a gem where one can feel the depth of emotion and great vocals.
“Bojhal Se” from I Am (2010): Slow number that particularly highlights KK’s ability to vocalise deep emotions.
How did KK’s voice style change with his years?
KK’s vocal style changed radically during his career, with essential marks of candour and some degree of emotional depth. In the initial years, he possessed a raw, untrained quality in his voice, and this characteristic said quite a lot about the level of youthful exuberance and heartbreak in songs like “Tadap Tadap” and “Pyaar Ke Pal” .
While he moved forward, KK himself remained in his trademark honesty toward show business to what some of his peers during his time suggested that he should present himself to become known to big stars. Such a move finally befriended him to a new generation of composers that appreciated his straightforward singing style 1. He could sing his way through romantic ballads to upbeat tunes and still get his own gesture across-a characteristic that carried him throughout his career in this regard.
What kind of impact has KK’s personal life had on the change of voice style during his lifetime?
KK’s personal life has hugely impacted his voice style evolution. Being born in a musically rich background, he was mostly inspired by his mother’s Malayali songs and Motown and R&B records of his father that shaped up early musical inclinations.
By not choosing to go through the box of formal training, his decision to be himself and not veer off to any form of training gave him the chance to craft an original sound stampeded by emotional honesty that makes his performances relevant and deeply felt. Given that people were urging him to tone down and become more dramatic, KK decided not to become a different person, and that spoke to younger composers and audiences looking for sincerity in music3. Authenticity became an integral part of his vocal being.
How was marriage an influencer of KK’s choices in music?
KK’s marriage with Jyothy Krishna actually worked as a strong influencer in his music-related decisions and life. KK and Krishna’s bond began when both of them were kids, and Jyothy was the one who used to highly support and motivate him. “When I got married to Jyothy Krishna in 1991, she felt that I was talented and prompted me to leave marketing and become a full-time musician,” says KK.
This proved to be a good step for KK as he got into singing full-time, which led him to create music that remembered every romantic ballad he sang. With such intimate love and companionship with Jyothy, his personal life filled his music with emotional depth, giving authenticity to songs like “Yaaron” and “Dil Kyun Yeh Mera,” which reflect the themes of friendship and love.