Published Oct 23, 2026 | 10:16 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 23, 2026 | 10:29 AM
R Krishnaraj Ramasamy passed away at the age of 75.
Synopsis: Krishnaraj Ramasamy died days after music composer Deva, who passed away on 17 October. These successive losses have saddened members of the Tamil film industry and music lovers. Krishnaraj rose to prominence during the 1990s, particularly through his collaborations with Deva. His energetic singing style and distinctive voice made him a familiar presence in Tamil film music.
Veteran Tamil playback singer R Krishnaraj Ramasamy, known for his distinctive voice and several popular Tamil cinema songs, died in Chennai on Thursday, 22 October. He was 75.
Krishnaraj, who had been unwell, was closely associated with music composer Deva and lent his voice to several of the composer’s popular film songs.
His death came days after the demise of Deva, who died on 17 October. The successive losses have saddened members of the Tamil film industry and music lovers.
Krishnaraj rose to prominence during the 1990s, particularly through his collaborations with Deva. His energetic singing style and distinctive voice made him a familiar presence in Tamil film music.
One of his best-known songs is ‘Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu’ from the 1997 film Porkkaalam, composed by Deva. The song earned him the Tamil Nadu State Government Award for Best Playback Singer.
The song also gained significance beyond cinema when it was played at the 2016 state funeral of former Singapore President SR Nathan, who had expressed a wish for it to be played at his funeral.
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Other popular songs Krishnaraj sang under Deva’s direction include ‘Vellarikka Pinju Vellarikka’ from Kadhal Kottai (1996), ‘Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa’, and ‘Kaathadikkudhu Kaathadikkudhu’ from Ninaivirukkum Varai.
He also sang ‘Aambalaikkum Pombalaikkum’ from Kazhugu, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, and ‘Eechi Elumichhi’ from Taj Mahal, composed by AR Rahman.
His work extended beyond film songs to devotional music. Throughout his career, he collaborated with composers including Deva, Sirpy, Vidyasagar, Rahman and Yuvan Shankar Raja. His songs featured in films such as Arunachalam, Kadhal Kottai, Vinnukkum Mannukkum, Banda Paramasivam and Paruthiveeran.
His last known film contribution was the song ‘Naalu Nimisham’ from Suriya-starrer Soorarai Pottru.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expressed shock and sorrow over Krishnaraj’s death. In a tribute, Vijay recalled the singer’s distinctive voice and the lively songs that won audiences’ affection, calling his death a major loss to Tamil cinema.
Krishnaraj’s mortal remains were kept at his residence in Chennai, where members of the public and the film industry could pay their last respects. The body would be taken to his hometown, Vembadithalam, in Salem district later in the day for the final rites.
Krishnaraj’s death marks the loss of a singer whose voice became integral to Tamil film music, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s. His songs, especially those created in collaboration with Deva, remain familiar to generations of Tamil music listeners.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
