Google marks Krishnakumar Kunnath's debut anniversary with an animated doodle tribute

On this day in 1996, KK’s first song was released in Gulzar's political thriller Maachis.

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Google honoured renowned Indian playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK, with an animated doodle on October 25, commemorating the anniversary of his Bollywood debut.

On this day in 1996, KK’s first song, "Chhod Aaye Hum," was released in Gulzar's political thriller Maachis. The doodle features KK standing and singing with a microphone, set against a backdrop of the Google logo, accompanied by music notes and star emojis.

In a note on their website, Google explained the significance of the doodle, stating, “This Doodle celebrates Krishnakumar Kunnath, also known as KK, a successful Indian playback singer most known for his versatility. He is widely remembered for recording songs in several languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, and Gujarati.”

KK was celebrated for his emotive songs, including "Khuda Jaane," "Ankhon Mein Teri," and "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai." Over his three-decade career, he recorded more than 500 songs in Hindi and over 200 in regional languages, such as Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam.

The beloved singer passed away on May 31, 2022, in Kolkata, just hours after performing at a concert. In the wake of his death, KK's son Nakul Krishna shared an emotional message on Instagram, reflecting on the profound impact of his father’s life. He described the intense grief he felt and expressed gratitude for the privilege of witnessing KK’s passion for music.

KK began his musical journey in 1994 by submitting a demo tape to a prominent Indian artist, which led him to perform commercial jingles.

He recorded nearly 3,500 jingles in 11 languages before making his mark in Hindi cinema. His first album, Pal, launched in 1999, received widespread acclaim and solidified his place in the music industry.

This tribute from Google serves as a reminder of KK’s enduring legacy and the love he garnered from fans throughout his illustrious career.