Chennai: From soulful folk melodies to spirited devotional numbers, playback singer Krishnaraj, 75, who died in Chennai on Thursday, carved a distinctive identity in Tamil cinema, particularly through his memorable association with composer Deva.While some voices are remembered for their technical brilliance, others are for their ability to stir emotions. Playback singer Krishnaraj belonged to that rare category of artistes whose voice seemed to emerge straight from the heart of Tamil Nadu’s villages. Unpretentious, earthy and instantly recognisable, his singing carried the innocence of rural life, the exuberance of folk traditions and the emotions of ordinary people.The singer’s death at 75 marks the end of a musical journey that might not have enjoyed the glamour surrounding some of his contemporaries but left an unmistakable imprint on Tamil cinema. Krishnaraj made his mark at a time when the industry was dominated by formidable singers such as S P Balasubrahmanyam, K J Yesudas and Malaysia Vasudevan. Rather than imitate them, he built his own musical identity, particularly through folk-based compositions that demanded spontaneity, character and a natural Tamil flavour.His association with composer Deva proved a defining chapter in his career. During the 1990s, when Deva’s music dominated Tamil cinema, Krishnaraj became one of the voices that helped bring the composer’s lively, accessible melodies to the masses. ‘Vellarikka Pinju Vellarikka’ from ‘Kadhal Kottai’ introduced his voice to a wider audience. However, it was ‘Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu’ from ‘Porkkaalam’ that immortalised his singing. More than a song, it became a tribute to the land, its people and their deep-rooted sense of belonging.Krishnaraj’s rendition lent the composition an authenticity that made listeners almost smell the soil and experience the warmth of village life. His repertoire also included popular numbers such as ‘Tirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa’ from ‘Ninaivirukkum Varai’, which highlighted another dimension of his singing. His ability to switch effortlessly from a rustic to a devotional milieu endeared him to composers seeking a distinctly native musical expression.His career reflected an interesting phase in Tamil film music when composers increasingly drew inspiration from street sounds, village festivals and regional musical traditions. Krishnaraj was among singers who helped carry these influences into mainstream cinema without stripping them of their originality. Yet, like several playback singers of his generation, he gradually found opportunities shrinking as musical preferences changed and new voices entered the industry.For a generation that grew up listening to Deva’s melodies, Krishnaraj’s songs remain inseparable from memories of the 1990s. His passing, coming close on the heels of Deva’s death, makes this loss particularly poignant.
