T. R. Mahalingam (flautist)
T. R. Mahalingam, affectionately known as 'Mali', was a Carnatic music flautist.
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Mali was born at Tiruvidaimarudur, to Ramaswami Ayyar. He learnt vocal music from Jalra Gopala Ayyar,but switched over to flute soon. He did not learn from anyone in particular, he was his own master. Earlier, palladam Sanjiva Rao had not evinced interest in taking the boy as his ward.
Mali, as a flautist, shot to fame from the age of seven, with debut in 1933 at the Tyagaraja Festival, Mylapore.
He brought a revolution in Carnatic flute playing, by pioneering a special method of cross fingering that created such mellifluous music.
Indescribable softness and exhilarating melody with crisp adherence to tala and identity with sruti were the hallmark of Mali's flute-play.
Mali is credited with having evolved a style of playing close to vocal rendition, emphasizing on both, the sahitya and bhava of kritis.
When young, T R Mahalingam got introduced in a tamil movie 'Nandakumar' where he acted as Lord Krishna.
Mali and Palghat Mani were the select top pair and there was perfect identity of approach, anticipation and understanding between the two colossuses in presenting, rhythm supported melody, vibrant music each prodding and complementing the other. They were poles apart in personal traits and yet they understood and appreciated the artistic merits of each other well.
His principal disciples include N. Ramani, Prapancham Seetaram and T.S. Sankaran.