Bhakkiyaraj (31 October 1980 – 2 September 2022), popularly known by his stage name, Bamba Bakya, was an Indian Tamil[1] playback singer and musician. He predominantly worked alongside music composer A. R. Rahman on numerous collaborations in films.[2] He received the name Bamba Bakya after A. R. Rahman asked him to sing songs for him just like popular South African musician Bamba. It later went onto become a stage name as well as an identity of him. He was well known for his unique baritone.[3]

Bamba Bakya
Portrait of Bakya
Background information
Birth name	Bhakkiyaraj
Born	(1980-10-31)31 October 1980
Died	2 September 2022(2022-09-02) (aged 41) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)	Playback singer
Spouse(s)	Sivagami

A. R. Rahman included him in the 2010 film Raavanan, during which he sang in the song "Kedakkari" (at the time he was credited as Bhakyaraj).

Career

Bakya made his debut as a playback singer in S. Shankar's directorial 2.0 and sang his first single titled "Pullinangal" which became an instant hit and became a chartbuster. Prior to his entry into film industry, he mostly sang devotional songs.[4] Prior to his untimely demise, he also rendered his voice for Mani Ratnam's historical drama film Ponniyin Selvan: I.[2]

Death

Bakya died on 2 September 2022, 8 weeks before his 42nd birthday due to cardiac arrest.[3] He had been admitted to a hospital at Chennai after he complained of having a severe chest pain.[5]

Discography

References

External links

• Bamba Bakya at IMDb
• Bamba Bakya discography at Discogs