Tamil playback singer Krishnaraj Ramasamy dies at 75

CHENNAI: Tamil playback singer Krishnaraj Ramasamy, celebrated for his distinctive voice and extensive collaborations with music composer Deva, passed away in Chennai on Thursday, October 22, 2026,. While initial reports suggested he was 74, confirmed news reports state he was 75 at the time of his death,. The exact cause of death remains unknown at this time.

His passing arrives during a deeply mournful week for the Tamil film music fraternity. It comes just days after the death of his frequent collaborator, composer Deva, on October 17, and the passing of Deva’s nephew, actor Karthik Sabesh, on October 20. A member of the Film Musicians’ Union, Krishnaraj’s mortal remains are scheduled to be transported to his hometown of Vembadithalam in Salem on Friday morning for final rites,.

Krishnaraj rose to prominence in the 1990s, becoming the preferred voice for many of Deva’s compositions. He first gained widespread attention with the track ‘Vellarikka Pinju Vellarikka’ from the 1996 film Kadhal Kottai. His repertoire with Deva includes several enduring hits such as ‘Meesakkaara Nanbaa’, ‘Kathadikkuthu Kathadikkuthu’, and ‘Gopala Gopala’. He also collaborated with composer Sirpy on films like Banda Paramasivam (2003) and Vinnukum Mannukum (2001).

His most celebrated work remains ‘Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu’ from the 1997 film Porkkaalam, a track that earned him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer,. The song achieved a unique cultural footprint, later being played at the state funeral of former Singapore President S.R. Nathan to honour his final wishes, as Nathan viewed the track as a metaphor for multiracial heritage. In a poignant full-circle moment, the same song was played at Deva’s funeral last week.

From an analytical perspective, Krishnaraj’s vocal style was instrumental in shaping the soundscape of 1990s Tamil cinema. His ability to convey both rustic energy and deep melancholy made him an indispensable asset to composers of that era. The clustering of these recent deaths—Deva, Sabesh, and now Krishnaraj—underscores a transitional phase for the industry, as it loses the primary architects and voices of its 1990s musical golden age.

Beyond film playback, Krishnaraj also left a significant mark with devotional tracks such as ‘Unnai Thedi’ and ‘Un Siragugal Nizhalil’. As the Film Musicians’ Union and fans mourn his loss, his extensive discography ensures that his contributions to Tamil music will remain a permanent fixture in the cultural memory of the state.