Today, Google Doodle is celebrating the legendary Bollywood singer KK, marking the anniversary of his debut as a playback singer. KK made his first appearance in the music world on this day in 1996 with the song "Chhod Aaye Hum" from the film Maachis. His smooth voice and heartfelt songs made him a beloved figure in Indian music.
Krishnakumar Kunnath, famously known as KK, released his debut album Pal in 1999. The songs "Pal" and "Yaaron" from this album became huge hits. often played at school farewells and graduation ceremonies. These tracks helped KK gain fame in the music industry. His soulful rendition of "Tadap Tadap Ke" in the 1999 film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam earned him a nomination for Best Male Playback Singer at the Filmfare Awards, cementing his place in Bollywood.
?KK was often called "The Mesmeriser" for his ability to capture the emotions of romantic songs. He won several awards, including the Screen Award for Best Male Singer (non-film music) for his song "Pal" and Best Playback Singer for "Khuda Jaane" from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno.
KK was born on 23 August 1968 in Delhi to Malayali parents. He grew up in New Delhi, attending Mount St Mary's School and later graduated with a degree in commerce from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. Before his Bollywood breakthrough, KK sang more than 3,500 jingles, demonstrating his talent in various languages.
After completing his degree, KK worked briefly as a marketing executive but soon followed his passion for music. He faced many challenges trying to make it in the music industry, even singing at hotels to support himself. His big opportunity came in 1994 when he sent a demo tape to some of India's top artists. This led to his first work in commercial jingles, and by 1999, he had entered Hindi cinema with the hit song "Tadap Tadap."
Throughout his career, KK was known for his ability to sing in many languages. He recorded over 500 Hindi songs and more than 200 songs in Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam. He sang an impressive 3,500 jingles, making him one of the most versatile singers in the Indian music industry. KK was nominated for six Filmfare Awards and won two Star Screen Awards, along with several other honours.
KK¡¯s contribution to Indian music was honoured with a statue in Kolkata, the city where he performed his final concert before his untimely passing in 2022. His timeless songs continue to be cherished by fans.
KK married Jyothy Krishna in 1991, and they had two children, Nakul and Taamara. Nakul joined KK in singing the song "Masti" from KK¡¯s second album Humsafar. Tragically, on 31 May 2022, after performing at a college festival in Kolkata, KK suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 53, leaving behind a remarkable musical legacy.
Through today¡¯s Google Doodle, we remember KK, a gifted artist whose voice touched millions. His music will continue to inspire people for generations to come.
For those wondering, a Google Doodle is a fun, creative change to the Google logo. These Doodles celebrate special occasions, holidays, and even famous people. The tradition started in 1998 when Google¡¯s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, added a stick figure to the logo to let users know they were at the Burning Man festival.
Since then, Google Doodles have become more elaborate, featuring animations and even interactive games like today¡¯s popcorn-themed game. The talented team behind these doodles, called ¡°Doodlers,¡± includes illustrators, animators, and engineers who make each Doodle unique and educational