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Tamil Nadu CM Vijay expressed shock over Krishnaraj’s death, while R Sarath Kumar recalled several memorable songs they worked on together.
Tamil Playback Singer Krishnaraj Passes Away at 75; CM Vijay Mourns His Demise
Tamil playback singer Krishnaraj Ramasamy passed away in Chennai on October 22. He was 75. Actor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and actor R Sarath Kumar have expressed their grief over his death. Krishnaraj was known for songs such as Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu from Porkkaalam. He sang over hundreds of songs for Tamil films and worked with several composers during his career.
Tamil Playback Singer Krishnaraj’s Death
His death comes at a difficult time for Tamil music industry. Composer Deva, with whom Krishnaraj collaborated on several songs, died on October 17. Three days later, Deva’s nephew, actor Karthik Sabesh, also passed away.
The cause of Krishnaraj’s death remains unknown at the time of writing. According to The Hindu, sources said his body would be taken to his hometown, Vembadithalam in Salem, on Friday morning. Playback singer Anuradha Sriram visited his residence in Chennai to pay her last respects and offer condolences to his family.
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Pays Tribute To Krishnaraj
Vijay shared a message on X after learning about the singer’s death. He said he was shocked and saddened by the news.
“I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mr. Krishnaraj, the renowned playback singer of Tamil cinema,” he wrote.
Vijay also remembered the singer’s voice and the energy he brought to his songs. “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,” he added.
தமிழ்த் திரையுலகின் பிரபல பின்னணிப் பாடகர் திரு. கிருஷ்ணராஜ் அவர்களின் மறைவுச் செய்தி கேட்டு அதிர்ச்சியும், மனவேதனையும் அடைந்தேன்.தன்னுடைய தனித்துவமான குரலாலும், உற்சாகம் ததும்பும் பாடல்களாலும் ரசிகர்களின் இதயங்களைக் கவர்ந்த பின்னணிப் பாடகர் திரு. கிருஷ்ணராஜ் அவர்களின் மறைவு தமிழ்த் திரையுலகிற்குப் பேரிழப்பாகும்.
அவரை இழந்துவாடும் குடும்பத்தினர், உறவினர்கள், நண்பர்கள், திரைத்துறையினர் மற்றும் இசை ரசிகர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலையும், ஆறுதலையும் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) October 22, 2026
He offered his condolences to Krishnaraj’s family, friends, colleagues and fans.
R Sarath Kumar Remembers Their Songs Together
R Sarath Kumar also mourned the legendary singer’s death on X. He recalled several songs Krishnaraj had sung for films in which he acted.
“The demise of the renowned playback singer Krishnaraj brings immense sorrow,” he wrote.
He further added, “In Tamil cinema, his voice graced over 300 songs, and 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.”
பிரபல பின்னணிப் பாடகர் கிருஷ்ணராஜ் அவர்களின் மறைவு மிகுந்த வேதனையளிக்கிறது.தமிழ்த் திரையுலகில் 300 – க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பாடல்களை பாடியவரின் குரலில் நான் நடித்த ‘விண்ணுக்கும் மண்ணுக்கும்’ திரைப்படத்தின் ‘பாசமுள்ள சூரியனே’, ‘சிம்மராசி’ திரைப்படத்தின் ‘தாயே திரிசூலி’, ‘மூவேந்தர்’ திரைப்படத்தின் ‘சோக்கு சுந்தரி’, ‘நட்புக்காக’ திரைப்படத்தின் ‘கருடா கருடா’, ‘மீசைக்கார நண்பன்’ திரைப்படத்தின் சோகப் பாடல் மற்றும் ‘பெரிய கவுண்டர் பொண்ணு’ திரைப்படத்தின் ‘நாலு வார்த்தை பேசலையே’ பாடல்கள் மனதிற்கு நெருக்கமானவை.
தனது குரல் வளத்தாலும், உணர்வுப்பூர்வமான பாடல்களாலும் இசை ரசிகர்களின் உள்ளங்களில் என்றும் வாழும் அவரது மறைவு இசையுலகிற்குப் பேரிழப்பாகும்.
அன்னாரது ஆன்மா சாந்தியடைய இறைவனைப் பிரார்த்திப்பதோடு, அவரைப் பிரிந்து வாடும் குடும்பத்தினர், உற்றார் உறவினர்கள், கலையுலகினர் மற்றும் இசைக் கலைஞர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
#krishnaraj
— R Sarath Kumar (@realsarathkumar) October 22, 2026
“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. While praying to the divine for his soul to attain peace, I convey my deepest condolences to his grieving family, relatives, fellow artists, and all music practitioners who mourn his loss,” he wrote.
Chinmayi Sripaada Mourns His Demise
Chinmayi expressed grief over Krishnaraj’s death, and wrote on X, “Oh God. This is a reallly tough week.”
Meanwhile, singer Sujatha Mohan wrote, “Heartbroken to hear that Krishnaraj is no more. Coming so soon after the loss of Deva sir, this is another shock. Krishnaraj was Deva sir’s favourite singer, and mine too. He supervised so many of Deva sir’s songs that I had the privilege of singing. Gone too soon..pls rest in peace dear.”
One of Krishnaraj’s best-known songs is Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu from the 1997 Tamil film Porkkaalam. The song was composed by Deva, with whom Krishnaraj worked on several tracks.
The song also reached audiences outside Tamil cinema. It was played at the state funeral of former Singapore President SR Nathan, fulfilling one of his final wishes.
Krishnaraj’s association with Deva was an important part of his musical journey. With the composer passing away on October 17 and Krishnaraj now gone, the Tamil music industry has lost two artists whose work was heard across generations.
Krishnaraj also worked with composer Sirpy on films such as Vinnukkum Mannukkum (2001) and Banda Paramasivam (2003).
Quick Answers
Ask News18Krishnaraj sang over 3,000 songs throughout his career and was famously known as composer Deva’s favorite singer. One of his most notable songs was “Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu” from the 1997 film Porkkaalam, which earned him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and the Kalaimamani award.
Ask News18October 22, 2026, 19:08 IST