Tributes pour in for popular singer KK

 
Tributes to popular Bollywood singer KK, who died unexpectedly on Tuesday night, hours after performing at a concert, poured in on social media.

According to initial reports, Kunnath was taken to a private hospital on Diamond Harbor Road in Kolkata after falling ill during an event at Diamond Harbor Road. As per sources, the famous Bollywood singer was brought dead at the Calcutta Medical Research Institute Hospital.

The 53-year-old, whose real name was Krishnakumar Kunnath, sang hundreds of songs over his career, which began in the 1990s.

Some of KK's most popular songs that remain his best songs include Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (Gangster), Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam), Awarapan Banjarapan (Jism), Aankhon Mein Teri Ajab Si (Om Shanti Om) and Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno). His song Yaaron, released in 1999, made him a household name.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mod said on Twitter, "His songs reflected a wide range of emotions as (they) struck a chord with people of all age groups. We will always remember him through his songs."

Singer Armaan Malik called it a "black year for Indian music" on the micro-blogging site whereas actor Abhishek Bachchan thanked him for sharing his talent with everyone.

Bollywood's Ajay Devgn also sent out condolences and mentioned how the music he sang was associated with his films and that his loss "seems much more personal".

Cricketer Virat Kohli also tweeted and wrote, "lost a magnificent singer of our times and so suddenly. Condolences to his family and close ones."

Bollywood music composer Pritam wrote, "In utter shock. Just heard about KK . Someone please tell me it's not true."

Acclaimed singer Shreya Ghoshal tweeted, "This is too hard to accept! Heart is shattered in pieces."

Musician Shankar Mahadevan paid his respects with a line from KK's song Pal: "Hum rahe ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal (We'll remember these moments whether we're here or not.)" Messages of tributes poured in from across the border as well.

Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali wrote, "Can't believe the terrible news I have just heard! Singer KK is no more! It's shocking and terribly sad. Just doesn't sound right. What a singer! May he rest in peace #KK"

Born in Delhi in 1968, KK began his career singing advertising jingles - he sang more than 3,500 of them before getting his big break in film music - and went on to perform in several Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

--- Chanchal Chakraborty, AA