Singer Krishnaraj, known for his collaboration with Deva, passes away at 75

It has been an unfortunate week for fans, friends, and family of the late acclaimed music composer ‘Thenisai Thendral’ Deva. Just days after the composer’s passing, on October 17, his nephew and actor Karthik Sabesh passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on October 20.

And now, on October 22 (Thursday), popular playback singer Krishnaraj Ramasamy, who is particularly known for his collaboration with Deva, breathed his last in Chennai at the age of 75. The cause of death remains unknown at the moment.

Krishnaraj crooned several Deva hits in the 90s and 2000s, like ‘Vellarikka,’ ‘Meesakkaara Nanbaa (the sad version)’, ‘Kathadikkuthu Kathadikkuthu,’ and ‘Gopala Gopala’, among others.

Krishnaraj is the voice behind Deva’s ‘Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu,’ the song from 1997’s Porkkaalam, which gained international fame after it was played at the state funeral of former Singapore President, SR Nathan, to fulfil one of his last wishes. Interestingly, Nathan saw the song as a metaphor for Singapore’s multiracial heritage.

The singer is also known for collaborating with music composer Sirpy on the films Banda Paramasivam (2003) and Vinnukum Mannukum (2001). Over his long career, the singer also lent his voice to many devotional hits, including ‘Unnai Thedi’ and ‘Un Siragugal Nizhalil.’

The news about Krishnaraj’s passing has come as a shock to his fans and the music industry. According to sources, his mortal remains are set to be taken to his hometown, Vembadithalam (Salem), on Friday morning.