‘I AM DESTINY’S CHILD’

Singer KK says despite having his own share of struggles, good things “just happened”

Singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, says his journey so far in the music industry has been “a dream run”. Although KK started his career by singing jingles for advertisements, he later went on to become one of Bollywood’s most recognisable singers, with songs such as ‘Tadap tadap ke’ (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam; 1999), ‘Tu hi meri shab hai’ (Gangster; 2006) and ‘Alvida’ (Life In A... Metro; 2007). The singer has been part of the Hindi music industry for nearly two decades and is currently taking time out to work on his next album. In an interview with HT Café, KK talks about his early days in Mumbai, how his wife helped him stay afloat when he was struggling, and his son Nakul. I have been doing what I like to do and what I want to do. I was initially in Delhi doing music, but things got much better when I moved to Mumbai. I started singing jingles, and then I got into films and released my own album. For me, releasing my album, Pal, in 1999 was a dream come true. That was the culmination of a longstanding dream for me. It feels great that I got to sing Bollywood songs that became hits and connected with the masses. As a singer, I am extremely happy. Yes. Initially, it was difficult, because I didn’t know anyone. However, you keep moving forward, find your grip and always look up. For me, one thing led to another, and it just happened. I could say I’m destiny’s child that way. When I moved to Mumbai, I met Hariharan and Lesle [ Lewis] (right). Lesle helped me with jingles, and I got into singing for ad films with him. Later, I met the officials of a music company and recorded Pal. It’s not that I was trying hard to meet people or making an effort to get into a particular zone. It just happened for me. I made an album called Humsafar in 2008, but I haven’t been able to make time for my solo [projects]. At this point in time, I have started feeling restless again. I’m doing movies, but I think I should do what I came here to do. I had thought I would do my albums. Now, my soul is calling out and telling me that I need to follow my heart again. I have slowly started getting into that zone mentally. But it’s difficult physically, because I keep travelling for gigs. However, I’m sure I’ll make some time and start working on that [my album] in the next few months. If I can get someone to write what I think, or what I want to say, [I’ll do that]. Like Mehboob [Alam Kotwal] wrote wonderful lyrics for Pal. He wrote some great songs for Humsafar too, where I just wrote the English bit. I’m more comfortable in English in terms of thought. I’ll leave that [writing lyrics] for later. Not really. If you believe in your art, then it helps you get through. I’ve never felt conscious about not learning music. On the contrary, I’ve felt confident about my ability to connect with audiences. I get music from my mom’s side. My grandmother was a music teacher, and mother’s sister used to sing as well. So, when I used to go down to Kerala, my native place, my aunt would tell me, “You wait and watch, when you grow up, you’ll become world famous.” I would laugh it off as a kid. She passed away recently, but whenever I used to go to meet her, I would tell her, “Valliamma (elder mother; maternal aunt) look, everywhere I go, I write Krishnakumar Kunnath.” Kunnath is my mom’s house name. Whenever I perform abroad in big concerts, they write my name as KK, but I ask them to write my full name as well. I feel emotional [seeing it]. I don’t have plans for them [my children], and that’s how life should be. They have finished school and are doing their own thing. However, both are musicians. My son is into music, and has learnt a lot of musical instruments. He wants to get into [music] production. My daughter [Taamara] is also learning music and wants to be a singer. Yes, I dream for them. As a father, I’ll support them in whichever way I can, but I’m not going to intervene or interfere. I’m not going to sound filmi, but I moved from Delhi to Mumbai because I had her with me. The support she gave me initially was important, back when I had nobody and no direction. For me, at that time, staying afloat was the most important thing, and she helped me do that. Of course, later on, my talent and art helped me find my footing. Now, when we talk about it, when we have things going our way, we feel that life couldn’t have been better back then. We feel good that we went through that phase of life, because it helped us remain focused and grounded.