KK

it was the time when Sonu Nigam was at his peak and he was making some wonderful music with Anu Malik (Mujhe Kucch Kahna Hai, Main Hoon Na), Shankar Ehsaan Loy ( Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) and Vishal Shekhar (Om Shanti Om), when new voice was heard while singing the title track of Mujhe Kucch Kahna Hai. The voice was crystal clear, sharp and extremely mellifluous while singing high pitched notes. It was then that I came across KK and took him seriously as a singer of great eminence.

Currently, post his untimely death in Kolkata after a highly successful concert, all his popular numbers are doing rounds on social media and it would be futile for me to list out these popular songs here in this blog, but what must be mentioned here is that this self trained Delhi boy, who started by singing jingles, scaled great heights through sheer hard work. If the aforesaid title song of Mujhe Kucch Kahna Hai and Tadap Tapap from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam are love anthems of jilted lovers, aankhon meri teri from Om Shanti Om is favourite with the lover boys wooing their lady love! And the list is endless.

While there can be a post-mortem of the reasons leading to his death, including the mismanagement by the organisers of Kolkata concert, the fact remains that fatal side effects of an ignored health condition once again come to the fore. Even if the crowd was three times the capacity of the venue, air conditioning inadequate and heat excruciating, these are insufficient reasons causing death of a healthy individual, leave apart an artist, who, if anything, rejoices such tumultuous response!

53 was no time for this great talent to be taken away from us. And mind you, while all three greats – Mukesh, Rafi and Kishore died in their 50s- those were the days when awareness about health and the need for regular testing was rather inadequate. But today’s generation is much more conscious about the importance of managing both – health and finances and under the circumstances, the death of KK is most unfortunate, most untimely – a great loss to the family

A similar angst and sorrow had engulfed me when the original KK, Kishore Kumar, a favourite of my generation had left this world. This KK might not have attained similar height and glory, but had definitely his own unique style of singing that had endeared him to millions, including me, who’s is slightly cut off from the modern day Bollywood music.

Rest in peace KK. Your music will be remembered and your tragic death will now push millions others to precautionary health check up.