Singer KK to be given gun salute at Kolkata's cultural hub Rabindra Sadan

Kolkata: Departed singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known by his stage name KK, would be given a gun salute at the city's cultural hub Rabindra Sadan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Wednesday at the Dum Dum airport here.

Banerjee said the decision was taken in consultation with the singer's family. Banerjee had earlier announced that the gun salute would be given to the singer at the airport where she would be present after cutting short her trip to the Southern districts.

The singer's body has been taken for post mortem to the West Bengal government-run SSKM Hospital, which is very close to Rabindra Sadan.

"The post mortem will take time. Moreover, the family has to catch the 5-15 PM flight with his body. So, we have decided to give the gun salute at South Kolkata's Rabindra Sadan," she told the media after arriving by a flight from Andal in Paschim Bardhaman district.

The singer's body was on Tuesday night kept at a private hospital CMRI in the city, where the singer was declared dead on arrival.

Banerjee earlier said she spoke to the bereaved widow of the singer over phone.

"The sudden and untimely demise of the Bollywood playback singer KK shocks and saddens us," Banerjee posted on her Twitter handle on Wednesday morning.

"My colleagues have been working from last night to ensure that all requisite support is given for necessary formalities, his rites and to his family now. My deep condolences," said Banerjee.

KK was performing at Nazrul Mancha for a college fest on Tuesday evening when he felt uncomfortable after singing for an hour.

KK returned to the hotel where he had put up, but was rushed to CMRI after his condition deteriorated and he collapsed. The hospital's doctors declared him dead on Tuesday night.

He recorded over 700 songs and received six Filmfare nominations, and won the Filmfare

Awards South in 2010 for being adjudged the best male playback singer.

He was 53.

New Market police station has registered a case of unnatural death of the Bollywood singer. (UNI)