The South Indian music industry has suffered a profound loss with the passing of veteran playback and devotional singer Krishnaraj Ramasamy. Aged 75, the legendary artist passed away on October 22, 2026, due to age-related health complications. Over a career spanning three decades, Krishnaraj left an indelible mark on Tamil music, lending his soulful voice to top stars like Thalapathy Vijay, Suriya, and Ajith Kumar.
Krishnaraj’s musical journey is a testament to extraordinary versatility and dedication. Throughout his 30-year career, he recorded nearly 3,000 songs. While around 300 of these were popular film tracks, he was equally revered for his immense repertoire of over 2,700 non-film and devotional songs that touched the hearts of millions across Tamil Nadu and beyond.
Over the years, Krishnaraj collaborated with some of the most iconic music directors in the Indian film industry, including Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, and Sirpy. However, his most famous and enduring creative partnership was with his close friend, the renowned music director Deva. In a tragic twist of fate, Deva had also passed away just five days prior to Krishnaraj's demise, marking a heartbreaking week for the music fraternity.
Krishnaraj made his playback singing debut in 1996 with the song "Vellarikka Pinju Vellarikka" from Ajith Kumar’s blockbuster film Kadhal Kottai. The track became an instant sensation and established him as a prominent playback singer. From there, he went on to render hit after hit for prominent actors including Sarath Kumar, Murali, Suriya, and Thalapathy Vijay. Among his most celebrated evergreen tracks are "Thanjavuru Mannu Eduthu", "Nalam Nalamariya Aaval", and "Naalu Nimisham".
His incredible talent received widespread national and state recognition. For his stunning rendition of "Thanjavuru Mannu Eduthu", he was awarded the prestigious Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. Recognizing his overall monumental contribution to Tamil music, the Government of Tamil Nadu also honored him with the 'Kalaimamani', one of the state's highest civilian artistic awards.
Krishnaraj Ramasamy’s legacy remains immortalized through his timeless songs and the unforgettable melody he brought to South Indian cinema.