The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Gulzar’ ‘Maachis’, is that immense throw of voice singing, Chor Aaye Hum Wo Galiyan. There are two reasons for it - the lyrics summarize the essence of the movie, and the piercing and soulful voice makes it unforgettable. That voice was of Krishnakumar Kunnath. The year was 1996. Nobody knew that in a few years’ time, this voice will become a rage across the nation.

The year was 1999. Two things happened in the Indian music scenario. The song Tadap Tadap Ke (from the movie, ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’) became a sensation along with the songs Yaaron and Pal (from a private album ‘Pal’). These songs were sung by a voice called KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath). Suddenly, KK was at the centre of the great Indian musical cauldron, brewing the most melodious songs. If Tadap Tadap Ke was about the lament of losing love, Yaaron was about the beauty of friendship. Used beautifully in the movie Rockford, latter went on to become an anthem for the campuses (of colleges) across the country as a symbol of friendships and farewells. And with that KK became the voice of a generation.

The year was 2003. That generation from the campuses was busy trying to build a career, finding their right partners, or getting their hearts broken. That’s when the song Awaarapan Banjaarapan (from the movie Jism) came out. Incredibly sung by KK, the song became the heartbreak anthem for that generation. It’s as if the voice was with you when you finished your college and now that you are going through pain, the voice is there to comfort you and knows what you are going through. Another important mention is the slightly unknown but the brilliantly existential song, Maine Dil Se Kaha (from the movie ‘Rog’).

Starting off as an ad jingle singer, KK went on to sing several beautiful songs.The depth of emotions in his voice was unmatched. He was the voice of love, as someone mentioned. More importantly, he was the voice of a generation. A generation that is shocked at his early departure, which could’ve been avoided. The heart bleeds.

RIP KK.

By Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Dubai based marketing and communications professional, poet and a musician with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 33 years old Technics (SL Q3) turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Rock, Classical, Blues, Jazz, Indian Classical are his prized possessions. He is also the author of a bestselling book of poems in Hindustani called, 'Khyaalon Ki Tapri'. He can be reached at +971 522766809 and meraj.hasan@gmail.com.