Playback singer Krishnaraj, who sang more than 300 songs in various Tamil films, including Paruthiveeran, Arunachalam and Kadhal Kottai, passed away on October 22, Thursday. He was 75 years old. The singer's death comes about a week after the passing of Deva, one of his frequent collaborators. The reason for his demise is not yet known.
Krishnaraj received the Tamil Nadu State Government Award for Best Playback Singer for the track ‘Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu’ in the 1997 film Porkkaalam. Notably, the aforesaid track, sung by Krishnaraj and composed by Deva, was played at the 2016 funeral of Sellapan Ramanathan, the President of Singapore, who hailed from Tamil Nadu.
Krishnaraj first worked as a singer in Adhikaalai Subavelai, a film composed by Deva, but it was never released in theatres. During the 1990s, he sang several songs to Deva’s music, including ‘Vellarikka Pinju Vellarikka’ from Kadhal Kottai, as well as ‘Kaathadikkuthu Kaathadikkuthu' and ‘Tirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa’ from Ninaivirukkum Varai.
Responding to the news, actor Sarathkumar wrote, “The songs I acted in—“Paasamulla Sooriyane” from the film *Vinnukkum Mannukkum*, “Thaayae Thirisoolee” from *Simmarasie*, “Sokku Sundari” from *Moovendar*, “Karuda Karuda” from *Natpukaga*, the sorrowful song from *Meesaikkaara Nanban*, and “Naalu Vaarthai Pesalaiae” from *Periya Kaaval Thozhil*—remain close to my heart.”
The actor added, “Through the richness of his voice and his emotionally charged renditions, he will forever live in the hearts of music lovers, and his passing is an irreplaceable loss to the world of music.”
Echoing the sentiment, CM Joseph Vijay shared, "With his unique voice and songs brimming with enthusiasm, playback singer Mr. Krishnaraj had captivated the hearts of his fans. His demise is a great loss to Tamil cinema."