Officials confirmed that well-known Bollywood singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, well known by his stage name KK, died in Kolkata late Tuesday night.
He left behind a wife and two sons at the age of 53.
For about an hour in the evening, KK played at a Gurudas College event at Nazrul Mancha in south Kolkata.
Officials say he arrived at his room “feeling heavy” and quickly fainted.
According to them, he was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where physicians proclaimed him dead.
“Around 10 p.m., KK was taken to the hospital.” We were unable to treat him, which is regrettable,” stated a hospital official.
The reason of death, according to doctors at the hospital, was “cardiac arrest.”
A post-mortem will be performed on Wednesday, according to a senior officer from the Kolkata Police Department, to determine the cause of death.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on KK’s passing, saying that his songs would live on in his memory.
“I am deeply saddened by the sudden death of acclaimed vocalist Krishnakumar Kunnath, better known by his stage name KK. His melodies evoked a wide spectrum of emotions in listeners of all ages. Through his songs, we shall always remember him. To his family and followers, my condolences. Modi wrote on Twitter, “Om Shanti.”
On Wednesday morning, he and his boys will arrive in Kolkata.
On Monday evening, KK, who was in Kolkata for a two-day visit, played at Vivekananda College’s Nazrul Manch in a concert. On Wednesday, he was expected to fly back to India.
“With him, I have a lot of personal recollections.” We began our careers in the same company. He was such a pleasant and unobtrusive individual. After the pandemic, life has become so unexpected and uncertain,” Babul Supriyo, a singer-turned-politician, told reporters outside the hospital.
“KK played a significant role in the emergence of rock music in India,” Supriyo, a TMC MLA, remarked.
After hearing the news of KK’s death, a police force was stationed outside the hospital to deal with the influx of fans.
Shibasis Banerjee, a Gurudas College student who attended the concert on Tuesday, said the singer was energetic throughout the performance.
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He said, “He posed for photographs with us and handed us autographs when we asked.”
“On the stage, he delivered song after song. To view him, a large crowd had assembled. It’s hard to believe he’s no longer with us. When I informed him I was going to a show like this during my freshman year of college, he immediately recognised me,” Shibasis recalled.
Initial singles like ‘Pyaar Ke Pal’ and ‘Yaaron’ helped KK gain a following among the country’s young. He has recorded Bollywood songs such as “Ankhon Mein Teri” (Om Shanti Om), “Zara Sa” (Jannat), “Khuda Jaane” (Bachna Ae Hasino), and “Tadap Tadap” (Bachna Ae Hasino) (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam).