KK: A voice that represented longing, loneliness, melancholy and melody

KK is no more The man who redefined melody melancholy loneliness and longing with his voice and music passed away at 53 in Kolkatta after performing at a live concert His untimely demise is a mirror to the devastating truth about life and its sheer unpredictability His aching words come to mind ldquoHum Rahe Na Rahe Kal Pal Yaad Aayenge Yeh PalrdquoThe song that sent the nation into a collective frenzy had the mesmerizing and meaningful lyrics that now hit even harder after this tragic loss to Indian Cinema He has left behind a gargantuan volume of work that displays his tenacity and versatility Here are some that are often revisitedTadap Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 1999The ultimate song of separation and heartbreak A song that made Sanjay Leela Bhansali discover his entire film And a song that made hapless and heartbroken lovers shed copious tears If the visuals on the screen didnrsquot choke you up KKrsquos voice that had as much pain as the protagonists would surely leave you guttedHum Hain Naye Dil Chahta Hai 2001He could switch from one mood to another in no time This thunderous number was all about reinvention and rejoicing He sang the song along with Shaan and Shankar Mahadevan and the trio with their blazing voice pumped up all the energy that almost became the driving force of this genredefining dramaTu Aashiqui Hai Jhankaar Beats 2003Another film thatrsquos totally incomplete without its scintillating soundtrack is Sujoy Ghoshrsquos massively underrated Jhankaar Beats The moniker says it all VishalShekhar and KK were on the verge of blooming as artists They gave the album all they had With all their pulsating energies they came up with Tu Aashiqui Hai that cemented their position in Hindi Cinema as the forces to reckon withDil Ibadat Tum Mile 2009A personal favourite The song has the kind of ache that feels personal and genuine and not manufactured or pretentious It comes at a very tricky situation in the film We are not clear whether the two people once madly in love will survive the brutal reality of separation or not Will their relationship collapse or fate will give them an another opportunity And who better than KK to amalgamate these emotions into a song with his forever enchanting voice that pierces right through the heartSang Hoon Tere Jannat 2 2012Another personal favourite is this melody from Jannat 2 And again the mood is tense but the conflict is tricky The man knows he may not survive amid the demons that surround him the woman is unaware hersquos shackled by despair This is the last time they meet before tragedy strikes The song is both dazzling and dark in its tone and lyrics Itrsquos both beautiful and brutal By the one and only KK Until we meet again