KKs final few hours: A concert, a crowd, and a few questions

KK, the man who
created the tune and tenor of millennial romance and friendship, died in
Kolkata following a concert at the city’s Nazrul Mancha on Tuesday. The
singer, whose real name was Krishnakumar Kunnath, was 53 years old. Following
his performance, Kunnath returned to the Oberoi Grand hotel. He was feeling
unwell and reportedly died on his way to the hospital. He was declared “brought
dead” at the Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI). An unnatural death
case has been lodged at the New Market police station.

Also Read | ‘Hum rahe ya na rahe kal’: Watch singer KK’s last performance

KK’s death has
triggered a wave of sorrow across the country’s musical communities, artists
and fans alike. The man who gave India’s youth “Pal” to sing at every farewell
across the length and breadth of the nation, the one who gave “Tadap Tadap” to
articulate the pain of every broken heart, is being mourned across the country.

Also Read | KK’s last Instagram post from Kolkata gig shows his stage excitement | See pics

While admirers
mourn KK’s death, there are also concerns about the set up at the auditorium
where the singer’s last concert took place. Social media was abuzz with rumours
of mismanagement at the event. KK had come to Calcutta for two events, both at
Nazrul Mancha. Monday’s event was organised by Vivekananda College in
Thakurpukur while Tuesday’s event was the annual social of Gurudas
Mahavidyalaya in Ultodanga, The Telegraph reported.

Also Read | Why KK’s death leaves a void in ’90s kids’

KK had reportedly
told his secretary that he was feeling unwell and had complained about the
glare of the lights during the show, ABP Ananda, a Bengali television news channel
reported.

“He (KK) told his
secretary Hitesh Bhatt that he was feeling cold when the car’s air conditioner
was switched on while returning to the hotel this evening. In the hotel, a few
fans were waiting for him to take selfies. He politely refused and said he was not
feeling well today,” Tochan Ghosh, show arranger, told The Telegraph.

Also Read | KK’s musical journey through the years

The show arranger
said KK went into his room and collapsed on a sofa. Bhatt, who was present in
the room, took him to the hospital. A hospital spokesperson said KK was brought
dead between 09:45 and 10:00 pm.

The musical
superstar’s death has raised questions on the condition of the auditorium where
KK was performing.

On social media,
several people complained that the air conditioning system in the auditorium was
not working properly and that the event was vastly overstretched. None of these
claims have been independently verified by OPOYI.

Rupsha Dasgupta,
associated with Bengali band Fossils, wrote on Facebook, “High time Nazrul
Mancha stopped free entry for audience. Performing in a jam packed Nazrul
Mancha is a nightmare. Recently we had two concerts there and only we know how
hot and claustrophobic it is on stage. In a capacity of 2000 audience they
allow more than 6000 and the AC doesn’t work. Difficult to accept the news.”

According to
Bengal based media outlet Ei Samay, KK went up on stage at Nazrul Mancha at
06:45 pm. He reportedly said he was feeling unwell after a few songs. These
claims, however, have not been verified.

Krishnakumar Kunnath,
born on August 23, 1968, rose to prominence through his ad jingles. His first
major break was on a soundtrack with musical maestro AR Rehman. Born in a
Malayali family in Delhi, KK sang over three thousand jingles before breaking
into Bollywood, the Hindi film industry based in Mumbai. KK, who never received
any formal training in music, used to say that its not important for a singer
to be seen, but be heard.