Star Bollywood singer KK dies after falling ill during concert
NEW DELHI (AFP) — Star Bollywood singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, died of a heart attack at age 53 after a concert, officials said Wednesday, prompting a flood of tributes.
“His songs reflected a wide range of emotions (and) struck a chord with people of all age groups,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter.
“We will always remember him through his songs. Condolences to his family and fans,” Modi wrote.
KK died shortly after performing at a packed concert in Kolkata on Tuesday evening, said Aroop Biswas, a government minister in the eastern state of West Bengal.
He was rushed to the hospital from his hotel around 10:30 pm, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Born in Delhi, the versatile singer recorded songs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi and Bengali, among other languages.
Like other playback singers in India who become stars in their own right, his songs were dubbed over in films, with the actors lip-synching along.
His hits from the 2000s included “Aankhon Me Teri” from the movie “Om Shanti Om” and “Khuda Jaane” from “Bachna Ae Haseeno.”
“I cannot believe that such a talented artist left us this way. He had two back-to-back programs in Kolkata,” music composer Anupam Roy told AFP.
Fans paid tribute on an Instagram
post put up by his management on Tuesday with photos showing KK singing in front of a roaring crowd.
The post was accompanied by the caption “Pulsating gig tonight at Nazrul Mancha … Love you all.”
“Rest in peace legend, you will be always in our heart,” wrote one user.
“You’re gone too soon !!!!!! ” commented another.