Be The Change You Wish To See: June 2022

On the night of May 31, the news about the sad demise of KK came out, it left everyone shocked and sad. I wish it was just a bad dream but as more details emerged, it was truly heartbreaking to accept. It was too early, he was just 53 and was as good as before. As it happens with life most of the times, we realise the value of a person/something when it is not with us, I had started to look back.

You had given us the best time of our childhood to us 90s kids. Your voice was sort of coming of age for many of us. We sang your songs at farewells, with friends, family and weddings too. You were everywhere and rightly so - Phone FM, Walkman, CD Players, Music Systems at home, Computer Speakers, Musical events, School Bus/Auto, Car FM and in our minds. It was very easy to remember the lyrics of the songs because of your melodious and soulful voice. You were the ultimate rockstar for us back then, now and forever. For me, your voice is the voice of love. I still have a lot of your songs in playlists everywhere.

It was a dream come true when I had attended your live concert in Ahmedabad back in those days of pre 2010 era. I remember the aura, fan-dom, the love which youngsters and teens had in those days for you and you had never disappointed your fans.

Your songs made all of us now in our late 20s/early 30s, turn back to childhood and relive some memory bookmarks to our life. Every important memory of my life has a KK song attached for that background music. That feeling of nostalgia. That feeling of being wanting to go back to those days. Those beautiful memories of school and college. Your song had become the official farewell song in schools and colleges. You were part of everyone's farewell. That fuzzy feeling. Come back sir for once!

A big part of my youth was shaped by your melodious songs. I still listen to your songs whenever I hit a bad patch in life and feel low. Your song 'Aashayein' from the movie Iqbal is my go to song for a dose of motivation in life.

Your voice had all range of emotions and the way you seamlessly shift through the varied pitches required in singing was totally a joy for us your fans. Yours is a story of perseverance too, very few people know that KK sang 3500 ad jingles before he got his first big break in bollywood. Thank god, the industry discovered you.

The reason why we feel so much for you sir is that you felt real. Nothing brash about it. You inspired us through your hard work. We were connected through unspoken words. I don't remember the last time a celeb death hit me so hard.

Thank you sir for making our childhood memorable! You will forever live in our minds and hearts through your songs. It feels a like the end of a generation now, it is has brought curtains down on a beautiful era in Indian music. Most of us lost a big part of our life today. Rest easy now sir!