Mali (singer)

Maalavika Manoj was born on 16 September 1993{{Cite web |title=Mali (Maalavika) {{!}} About |url=https://www.facebook.com/Malimanojmusic/info |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130718202939/https://www.facebook.com/Malimanojmusic/info |archive-date=18 July 2013 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Facebook}}{{Cite Instagram |postid=CFNFBEujujH |user=maalavikamanoj |title=The dreaded 27th birthday with a much deserved drink. Thanks for all the wishes and presents! I love you all. Cheers 🥂 |date=16 September 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020 |url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/maalavikamanoj/2399596240486459591}}{{cbignore}} in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to Malayali parents from North Malabar. Maalavika had been listening to music heavily since childhood. Though her parents were not musicians, they would play a lot of 1970s and 1980s style music to her. Maalavika grew up listening electronic music. When she was five years old, her parents decided to enroll her in various classes ranging from swimming and Bharatanatyam to piano and drawing classes. A few years later, she quit all of her classes other than piano, which she learned till she was 17 years old. Around that time, she also decided to try learning the guitar, because at that point she felt it was "cool".

Maalavika said she never had to seriously tell her parents that she wanted to be a musician, because "they're happy if I'm doing something I want and can sustain myself and be comfortable with a career in music."{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Nandita |date=2 May 2013 |title=They're the four who rock |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130502/entertainment-tvmusic/article/theyre-four-who-rock |url-status=dead |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120023556/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130502/entertainment-tvmusic/article/theyre-four-who-rock |archive-date=20 November 2015}} Her first singing performance was at a party when she was 12 years old. At the party, she sang Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Fever", with some of the lyrics changed to "suit the occasion". She did her schooling at Sacred Heart Matriculation School and studied for a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at Loyola College, Chennai. In mid-2013, she left for France to complete her BBA degree, but returned to Chennai a year later after graduating.{{Cite news |last=Suraksha |first=P. |date=11 August 2014 |title=The Need for Recognition |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/The-Need-for-Recognition/2014/08/11/article2370841.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815171426/http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/The-Need-for-Recognition/2014/08/11/article2370841.ece |archive-date=15 August 2015}} She graduated from Loyola in the same year, and moved to Mumbai, Maharashtra to pursue a career in music.{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Nandita |date=27 January 2017 |title=Beyond Bass-in-Bridge |url=http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/beyond-bass-in-bridge/section/66247 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202030435/http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/beyond-bass-in-bridge/section/66247 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=27 January 2017 |work=Indulge Express}}

On 23 June 2024, Maalavika announced she was engaged.{{Cite Instagram |postid=C8jJsCvtuii |user=maalavikamanoj |title=It's a yes 💍🥲 |author=Mali |date=23 June 2024 |access-date=23 June 2024 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/maalavikamanoj/3396601152991062178_3396601145181106500 |archive-date=23 June 2024 |url-status=live}} She married Sid in February 2025.{{Cite Instagram |postid=DFutGBGNgzr |user=maalavikamanoj |title=Aaand we're married ♥️ 02-02-2025 #SidGotMaal |author=Mali |date=6 February 2025 |access-date=7 February 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250207004452/https://www.instagram.com/p/DFutGBGNgzr/?img_index=1 |archive-date=7 February 2025 |url-status=live}}

In 2010, Maalavika performed at Maithri (the cultural events of Chettinad Vidyashram), and was named the "Best Vocalist". RJ Arjun Thomas heard her there and suggested that she form a band to join the radio station Chennai Live's band hunt that was taking place at the time. The band was eventually formed under the name "Bass-in-Bridge" in September 2010,{{Cite web |title=Introducing BASS – IN BRIDGE |url=http://thamarai.co.uk/news-details/450589450/introducing-bass-in-bridge.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727135723/http://thamarai.co.uk/news-details/450589450/introducing-bass-in-bridge.html |archive-date=27 July 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Thamarai.co.uk}} with Arjun as the guitarist, Sajith Satya as the bassist, Leon James as the keyboardist, Maalavika as the vocalist and Shashank Vijay as the drummer.{{Cite web |title=Bass-in Bridge Bio |url=https://www.reverbnation.com/artist_1008221/bio |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119214627/https://www.reverbnation.com/artist_1008221/bio |archive-date=19 November 2015 |access-date=11 September 2015 |website=ReverbNation}} The name is a pun on "Basin bridge".{{Cite news |date=19 May 2011 |title=Meet the band {{sic|nolink=y|Baas-in Bridge}} |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Meet-the-band-Baas-in-Bridge/articleshow/8437596.cms |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530040148/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Meet-the-band-Baas-in-Bridge/articleshow/8437596.cms |archive-date=30 May 2018}} Bass-in-Bridge was one of five underground bands (the other four being Wolf's Lair, Nailed, Blues Conscience, Blacklisted and Off the Record) that qualified for the event's finals which took place in November 2010, but Wolf's Lair emerged the winning band, with Blues Conscience and Off the Record as runners-up.{{Cite news |last=Raghunandan |first=Siddharth |date=10 November 2010 |title=Strumming for the top slot |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nxg/strumming-for-the-top-slot/article877990.ece |url-status=live |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901231243/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nxg/strumming-for-the-top-slot/article877990.ece |archive-date=1 September 2015}} Maalavika called being a finalist at the band hunt her "claim to fame". Bass-in-Bridge have also performed live at Chennai's Pasta Bar Veneto, Pondicherry's "Sec Saturday concert" and Yamaha Music Square's "Up on the Roof". In June 2011, Bass-in-Bridge performed at a music festival called "Fete de la Musique" at the Goethe Institute, Chennai.{{Cite news |last1=Bozuwa |first1=Johanna |last2=Shaddick |first2=Edwina |date=22 June 2011 |title=When music hit the streets! |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nxg/when-music-hit-the-streets/article2125613.ece |url-status=live |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152511/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nxg/when-music-hit-the-streets/article2125613.ece |archive-date=8 October 2020}} The band dissolved in the same year, with Leon, Maalavika and Sajith becoming solo artists.{{Cite news |last=Fathima |first=Hafsa |date=5 June 2015 |title=Taking the next step |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/taking-the-next-step/article7286350.ece |url-status=live |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152511/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/taking-the-next-step/article7286350.ece |archive-date=8 October 2020}}{{Cite news |date=12 May 2015 |title=Leon to Compose Music for Ko-2 |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Leon-to-Compose-Music-for-Ko-2/2015/05/12/article2809246.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030131846/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Leon-to-Compose-Music-for-Ko-2/2015/05/12/article2809246.ece |archive-date=30 October 2015}}

Maalavika was featured in the "Sachin Anthem" composed by Dhanush,{{Cite news |date=15 February 2015 |title=A life versed in song |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-life-versed-in-song/article6895543.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318083606/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-life-versed-in-song/article6895543.ece |archive-date=18 March 2015}} which was released in February 2012.{{Cite web |date=5 February 2012 |title='Kolaveri di' Dhanush makes Sachin anthem |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/-1902213.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417060754/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/-1902213.html |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=Moneycontrol}} In June 2012, she performed at the World Music Day celebrations organised by Goethe Institute and Alliance Française de Chennai in association with Unwind Center.{{Cite news |date=29 June 2012 |title=Music in the air |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/music-in-the-air/article3584588.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152512/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/music-in-the-air/article3584588.ece |archive-date=8 October 2020}} In December 2012, she performed a few songs at a "Christmas Extravaganza" organised by Dr. John Joseph Foundation at YMCA, Vepery.{{Cite news |date=6 January 2013 |title=A season for sharing gifts |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/a-season-for-sharing-gifts/article4278269.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831173254/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/a-season-for-sharing-gifts/article4278269.ece |archive-date=31 August 2014}}

Maalavika's debut album Deceptive was to be released on 16 June 2013 at Chipstead, Taj Coromandel, but was released on iTunes a day in advance. She chose the stage name Mali. It was mixed by the US-based composer/mixer/producer Anton Pukshansky. The album also features other artists like Ujjayinee Roy, Karthick Iyer, "Ghatam" Karthik and Ed DeGenaro, all of whom helped Mali with the instrumentals. According to Mali, the album has "a mix of styles such as jazz, electronic, blues and so on" and she compares it to "a box of assorted chocolates – something for everyone".{{Cite news |date=27 June 2013 |title=A medley of genres |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-medley-of-genres/article4856539.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202232721/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/a-medley-of-genres/article4856539.ece |archive-date=2 February 2014}} The song "No Place Like Home", which Mali considers "the tune dearest to her on the album" was composed over a period of three years; she wrote it when she was 16 years old. It took her 15 months to finish the whole album. The album has six songs, which include "This One's for You", "Deceptive", "It's Not the Same", "No Place Like Home", "Wannabe" and "Undefined". In July 2013, Mali performed at "Thank You for the Music", a tribute concert to ABBA held at Chennai's Museum Theatre.{{Cite news |date=20 July 2013 |title=Music and memories |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/music-and-memories/article4932653.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831024914/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/music-and-memories/article4932653.ece |archive-date=31 August 2014}}{{Cite news |date=23 July 2013 |title=Thank you for the music |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-arts/thank-you-for-the-music/article4945078.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112125041/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-arts/thank-you-for-the-music/article4945078.ece |archive-date=12 November 2013}}

In April 2015, Mali performed with Sapta, an independent electro-acoustic world music act, at the event "Daddy's Toxic Thursdays" in Tap Resto Bar, Mumbai.{{Cite news |date=17 April 2015 |title=The Mint Planner, 17 April 2015 |work=Mint |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ltIdL1ZlVBOTVgWPzwkdNK/The-Mint-Planner-17-April-2015.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723153747/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ltIdL1ZlVBOTVgWPzwkdNK/The-Mint-Planner-17-April-2015.html |archive-date=23 July 2015}}{{Cite news |date=17 April 2015 |title=Sapta presents a mix of music |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/music/Sapta-presents-a-mix-of-music/articleshow/46959534.cms |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325213219/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/music/Sapta-presents-a-mix-of-music/articleshow/46959534.cms |archive-date=25 March 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Kamath |first=Sairaj |date=17 April 2015 |title=Gig Review: Sapta Live at Tap Resto Bar, Mumbai |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/gig-review-sapta-live-at-tap-resto-bar-mumbai/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119185553/http://rollingstoneindia.com/gig-review-sapta-live-at-tap-resto-bar-mumbai/ |archive-date=19 November 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Rolling Stone India}} In the same month she performed at Mercedes Luxe Royale, a show sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and organised by designer Vivek Karunakaran in association with the Madras Midtown Round Table-42 at The Park in Nungambakkam, Chennai,{{Cite news |date=17 April 2015 |title=In a Military Mood |work=Indulge Express |url=http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/in-a-military-mood/chennai/29076 |url-status=dead |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708002130/http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/in-a-military-mood/chennai/29076 |archive-date=8 July 2015}}{{Cite news |date=20 April 2015 |title=A fashionable helping hand |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fashion/a-fashionable-helping-hand/article7122831.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152512/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fashion/a-fashionable-helping-hand/article7122831.ece |archive-date=8 October 2020}}{{Cite news |date=21 April 2015 |title=It's Hot Inside Out |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Its-Hot-Inside-Out/2015/04/21/article2774232.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119224003/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Its-Hot-Inside-Out/2015/04/21/article2774232.ece |archive-date=19 November 2015}} and also at the launch event of Anams Man's Spring-Summer Collection held at ITC Grand Chola.{{Cite news |date=5 March 2015 |title=Bringing spring to life |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fashion/bringing-spring-to-life/article6962742.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152512/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/fashion/bringing-spring-to-life/article6962742.ece |archive-date=8 October 2020}} Mali performed the song "Walk Away" during the third season of the Kappa TV show Music Mojo.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykRmMbfHcbo |title=Walk Away – Mali – Music Mojo Season 3 |date=10 September 2015 |publisher=KappaTV |access-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205071833/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykRmMbfHcbo |archive-date=5 February 2023 |url-status=live}} In November, she performed the song "Deen", in collaboration with rapper Sofia Ashraf and Sapta.{{Cite news |title=Religion is not for everybody |work=The Asian Age |url=http://www.asianage.com/music/religion-not-everybody-578 |url-status=live |access-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119084403/http://www.asianage.com/music/religion-not-everybody-578 |archive-date=19 November 2015}}{{Cite web |last=Shaikh |first=Nabeela |date=7 November 2015 |title=Exclusive Stream: Sapta's New Electro/Folk/Rap Song 'Deen' ft. Sofia Ashraf |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-stream-saptas-new-electrofolkrap-song-deen-ft-sofia-ashraf/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119182715/http://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-stream-saptas-new-electrofolkrap-song-deen-ft-sofia-ashraf/ |archive-date=19 November 2015 |access-date=19 November 2015 |website=Rolling Stone India}}{{Cite news |last=Fathima |first=Hafsa |date=20 November 2015 |title=Sapta and Sofia Ashraf create a tuneful conversation |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/sapta-and-sofia-ashraf-create-a-tuneful-conversation/article7900042.ece |url-status=live |access-date=29 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123130704/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/sapta-and-sofia-ashraf-create-a-tuneful-conversation/article7900042.ece |archive-date=23 November 2015}} By January 2016, Mali had joined "The Diva Collective", a collaboration between several Chennai-based female vocalists.{{Cite news |date=30 October 2015 |title=Born to be divas! |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151030/lifestyle-offbeat/article/born-be-divas |url-status=live |access-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411155200/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151030/lifestyle-offbeat/article/born-be-divas |archive-date=11 April 2016}} In September 2016, she released a single titled "Dreaming".{{Cite web |last=Britto |first=David |date=7 September 2016 |title=Listen: Mumbai Singer-Songwriter Mali's Delightful New Single 'Dreaming' |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/listen-mumbai-singer-songwriter-malis-delightful-new-single-dreaming/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128212027/http://rollingstoneindia.com/listen-mumbai-singer-songwriter-malis-delightful-new-single-dreaming/ |archive-date=28 January 2017 |access-date=27 January 2017 |website=Rolling Stone India}}

The five-track EP Rush, which had been in development as early as October 2015, was released on 27 January 2017. "Dreaming", originally released as a single, was included on this EP.{{Cite web |last=Britto |first=David |date=27 January 2017 |title=Exclusive Premiere: Hear Singer-Songwriter Mali's Acoustic-Pop Debut EP 'Rush' |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-premiere-hear-singer-songwriter-malis-acoustic-pop-debut-ep-rush/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127063405/http://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-premiere-hear-singer-songwriter-malis-acoustic-pop-debut-ep-rush/ |archive-date=27 January 2017 |access-date=27 January 2017 |website=Rolling Stone India}} The title track of this album was later ranked second in Rolling Stone India{{'}}s list of "10 Best Indian Singles of 2017".{{Cite web |date=10 January 2018 |title=10 Best Indian Singles of 2017 |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/10-best-indian-singles-2017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112155953/http://rollingstoneindia.com/10-best-indian-singles-2017/ |archive-date=12 January 2018 |access-date=12 January 2018 |website=Rolling Stone India}} In February 2017, Sony Music India released "Onnume Aagala", a duet single between Mali and Anirudh Ravichander on YouTube. In April 2018, Mali released "Play", a single which had her grandfather M. C. Rammohan as featured artist, playing the harmonica. In August 2019, she released a new single titled "Mango Showers". In March 2020, Mali was selected to be part of Spotify's prestigious RADAR program{{Cite web |date=9 March 2020 |title=Radar is Spotify's new program to promote emerging artists |url=https://musically.com/2020/03/09/radar-spotify-program-emerging-artists/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406194047/https://musically.com/2020/03/09/radar-spotify-program-emerging-artists/ |archive-date=6 April 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=Musically}} "Age of Limbo", the first single from her next album Caution to The Wind, was released in April 2020.{{Cite web |last=Shenoy |first=Sonali |date=29 April 2020 |title=Mumbai singer Mali's quarantine-inspired music video features empty streets from South Bombay to Sao Paulo |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2020/apr/29/mumbai-singer-malis-quarantine-inspired-music-video-features-empty-streets-from-south-bombay-to-sao-24501.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152545/https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2020/apr/29/mumbai-singer-malis-quarantine-inspired-music-video-features-empty-streets-from-south-bombay-to-sao-24501.html |archive-date=8 October 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020 |website=Indulge Express}}{{Cite web |last=Britto |first=David |date=1 May 2020 |title=How A TV Show Inspired Mali's New Cinematic Single 'Age of Limbo' |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/how-a-tv-show-inspired-malis-new-cinematic-single-age-of-limbo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152546/https://rollingstoneindia.com/how-a-tv-show-inspired-malis-new-cinematic-single-age-of-limbo/ |archive-date=8 October 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020 |website=Rolling Stone India}} In February 2021, Mali was featured in India's Forbes 30 Under 30 list.{{Cite web |last=Shetty |first=Aishwarya |date=12 February 2021 |title=Maalavika Manoj: Bridging The Gap Between Familiarity And Newness With Her Music |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/30-under-30-2021/maalavika-manoj-bridging-the-gap-between-familiarity-and-newness-with-her-music/66405/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212210714/https://www.forbesindia.com/article/30-under-30-2021/maalavika-manoj-bridging-the-gap-between-familiarity-and-newness-with-her-music/66405/1 |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=Forbes India}} The complete Caution to The Wind album was released in April 2021.{{Cite web |date=9 April 2021 |title=Popular indie artiste Mali releases Caution to the Wind, her first full-length album |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2021/apr/09/popular-indie-artiste-mali-releases-caution-to-the-wind-her-first-full-length-album-32887.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409065224/https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2021/apr/09/popular-indie-artiste-mali-releases-caution-to-the-wind-her-first-full-length-album-32887.html |archive-date=9 April 2021 |access-date=9 April 2021 |website=Indulge Express}}

In 2023, Mali performed at the first edition of Lollapalooza India in Mumbai,{{Cite web |title=Lollapalooza India |url=https://lollaindia.com/line-up.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330061849/https://lollaindia.com/line-up.php |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=lollaindia.com}}{{Cite news |date=27 January 2023 |title=6 Homegrown Artists To Look Out For At Lollapalooza India |work=Grazia India |url=https://www.grazia.co.in/fashion/news/6-homegrown-artists-to-look-out-for-at-lollapalooza-india-10458.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127104931/https://www.grazia.co.in/fashion/news/6-homegrown-artists-to-look-out-for-at-lollapalooza-india-10458.html |archive-date=27 January 2023}} and at the opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center.{{Cite news |last=Britto |first=David |date=3 April 2023 |title=NMACC's New Venue The Cube In Mumbai Will Host Performances By Indie Artists |work=Rolling Stone India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/nmacc-nita-mukesh-ambani-cultural-centre-the-cube-indie-artists/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420015023/https://rollingstoneindia.com/nmacc-nita-mukesh-ambani-cultural-centre-the-cube-indie-artists/ |archive-date=20 April 2023}} She was also chosen to represent Apple Music India and showcase her music-making process to Apple CEO Tim Cook during his visit to India.{{Cite news |last=Mali |date=24 April 2023 |title=Singer-Songwriter Mali Narrates Her Heartwarming Rendezvous With Tim Cook |work=Rolling Stone India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/singer-songwriter-mali-narrates-her-heartwarming-rendezvous-with-tim-cook/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428033737/https://rollingstoneindia.com/singer-songwriter-mali-narrates-her-heartwarming-rendezvous-with-tim-cook/ |archive-date=28 April 2023}} Mali also appeared in a commercial promoting Škoda India.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swutEAIwP5c |title=Škoda. Let's Explore. |date=20 July 2023 |publisher=Škoda India |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929045044/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swutEAIwP5c |archive-date=29 September 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last=KAQI Entertainment |title=Mali's Inspiring Journey with Skoda: Embracing Life's Every KM |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/malis-inspiring-journey-skoda-embracing-lifes-every-km |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929045414/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/malis-inspiring-journey-skoda-embracing-lifes-every-km |archive-date=29 September 2023 |access-date=29 September 2023 |website=LinkedIn}} Later that year, she received a nomination at the EMA Awards in the category of Best India Act.{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=5 October 2023 |title=MTV EMA 2023 Best India Act Nominees Out: DIVINE, Mali, Tsumyoki and More |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/mtv-ema-2023-best-india-act-nominees-divine-mali-when-chai-met-toast-vote/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013093638/https://rollingstoneindia.com/mtv-ema-2023-best-india-act-nominees-divine-mali-when-chai-met-toast-vote/ |archive-date=13 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023 |website=Rolling Stone India}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=4 October 2023 |title=Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and SZA Lead 2023 MTV EMAs Nominations: See List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-mtv-emas-nominations-list-1235432723/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009150344/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-mtv-emas-nominations-list-1235432723/ |archive-date=9 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Carl |date=4 October 2023 |title=MTV Reveals Nominations For The 2023 MTV EMA's |url=https://thefutureoftheforce.com/2023/10/04/mtv-reveals-nominations-for-the-2023-mtv-emas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019132128/https://thefutureoftheforce.com/2023/10/04/mtv-reveals-nominations-for-the-2023-mtv-emas/ |archive-date=19 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=Future of the Force}}{{Cite web |title=Taylor Swift Leads 2023 MTV European Music Awards Nominations, Followed by Olivia Rodrigo and SZA |url=https://people.com/taylor-swift-leads-2023-mtv-emas-nominations-followed-by-olivia-rodrigo-sza-8347517 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006120754/https://people.com/taylor-swift-leads-2023-mtv-emas-nominations-followed-by-olivia-rodrigo-sza-8347517 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=People}} In 2024, Mali won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Indian Act.{{Cite web |date=10 November 2024 |title=MTV EMAs 2024: See the Complete Winners List! |url=https://people.com/mtv-emas-2024-complete-winners-list-8741964 |access-date=14 November 2024 |website=People.com |language=en |archive-date=11 November 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241111045823/https://people.com/mtv-emas-2024-complete-winners-list-8741964 |url-status=live }}

Mali's songs are usually inspired by melancholy. She describes "over-thinking" as "[o]ne of [her] weaknesses or strengths". On her songwriting style, she told The Telegraph, "When I start over-thinking, my best form of closure is writing it down. Once I write it all down, I feel I have expressed myself... literally crying to your friend when you are sad." In an interview with The Hindu, she described Skrillex, Hillsong, A. R. Rahman and Alanis Morissette as some of her influences in music, but noted that her "real inspiration to write music comes from situations or feelings that really strike a chord deep inside me". According to Suraksha P of The New Indian Express, Mali also takes inspiration from artists like Stevie Nicks, Joss Stone, Norah Jones, Katie Melua and Ella Fitzgerald. In an interview with The Times of India, the latter described Stone, Melua, Andrea Corr, Fitzgerald and Sara Bareilles as her favourite artists.{{Cite news |date=19 November 2011 |title=When the Rocks turn Pink in Chennai |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/When-the-Rocks-turn-Pink-in-Chennai/articleshow/10790875.cms |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003065701/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/When-the-Rocks-turn-Pink-in-Chennai/articleshow/10790875.cms |archive-date=3 October 2016}} In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Mali described The Corrs, Morissette, Savage Garden, Backstreet Boys and ABBA as her early inspirations.{{Cite news |last=Ravi |first=Nandita |date=7 May 2013 |title=Four the love of music |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130507/entertainment-tvmusic/article/four-love-music |url-status=dead |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120023612/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130507/entertainment-tvmusic/article/four-love-music |archive-date=20 November 2015}} According to Garvita Sharma of The Times of India, Mali's compositions are inspired by the changes in her life, which include "moving to a different place" or "going through a break-up".

Although primarily an independent musician, Mali has sung for a few feature films in Tamil. Her first film song was "Come on Girls", composed by Anirudh Ravichander for 3 (2012), although she considers her role in the song to be small.{{efn|Although 3 was released in March 2012,{{Cite web |date=30 March 2012 |title=Tweet Review: Tamil film '3', 1st day, 1st show |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/tweet-review-tamil-film-3-1st-day-1st-show-460515.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044141/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/tweet-review-tamil-film-3-1st-day-1st-show-460515.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=CNN-IBN}} its album was released in December 2011.{{Cite web |date=23 December 2011 |title=3 (Original Soundtrack) by Anirudh Ravichander |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/3-original-soundtrack/490980545 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119221630/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/3-original-soundtrack/id490980545 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=iTunes}}}} Her other film songs include "Yeda Kuda..." from Kaliyugam, "Vaazhkaiye" composed by Vijay Antony for Haridas (2013),{{efn|Although Haridas was released in February 2013, its album was released in November 2012.{{Cite web |date=26 November 2012 |title=Haridas Music Review |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/haridas/haridas-songs-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704043603/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/haridas/haridas-songs-review.html |archive-date=4 July 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}}} "Yaen Endral" from Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, and "Hi My Name Is Malini" by Aravind-Shankar Malini 22 Palayamkottai (2014).{{efn|Although Malini 22 Palayamkottai was released in January 2014,{{Cite web |date=24 January 2014 |title=Malini 22 Palayamkottai (aka) Malini 22 Palayamkottai review |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/malini-22-palayamkottai/malini-22-palayamkottai-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818081419/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/malini-22-palayamkottai/malini-22-palayamkottai-review.html |archive-date=18 August 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Behindwoods}} its album was released in November 2013.{{Cite web |date=8 November 2013 |title=Malini 22 Palayamkottai (aka) Malini 22 Palayamkottai songs review |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/malini-22-palayamkottai/malini-22-palayamkottai-songs-review.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704050132/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/malini-22-palayamkottai/malini-22-palayamkottai-songs-review.html |archive-date=4 July 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Behindwoods}}}} After a brief hiatus, she returned to singing for films with two Harris Jayaraj compositions: "Irumugan Settai" for Iru Mugan (2016), and "He's My Hero" for Si3 in the same year. In November 2012, Mali was a speaker at the TEDxYouth@Chennai conference. In March 2013, she was a speaker at Ventura 2013, an international business plan competition organised by the Entrepreneurship Cell of National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.{{Cite news |date=11 March 2013 |title=Business plan competition of NIT-T attracts 400 entries |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/business-plan-competition-of-nitt-attracts-400-entries/article4497001.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522032106/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/business-plan-competition-of-nitt-attracts-400-entries/article4497001.ece |archive-date=22 May 2013}}

;Singles and albums

;Film songs

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|refs=

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{{Cite web |date=15 June 2013 |title=Deceptive – EP by Mali |url=https://itunes.apple.com/album/deceptive-ep/id663528028 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725115239/https://itunes.apple.com/album/deceptive-ep/id663528028 |archive-date=25 July 2013 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=iTunes}}

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{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zShYUbbZzOM |title=Onnume Aagala |date=12 February 2017 |publisher=Sony Music India |access-date=13 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214095011/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zShYUbbZzOM |archive-date=14 February 2017 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

{{Cite news |last=Shenoy |first=Sonali |date=5 May 2018 |title=This Mumbai singer got her 79-year-old grandfather to collab on her new music video! |work=The New Indian Express |url=http://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2018/may/05/this-mumbai-singer-got-her-79-year-old-grandfather-to-collab-on-her-new-music-video-7178.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507153908/http://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2018/may/05/this-mumbai-singer-got-her-79-year-old-grandfather-to-collab-on-her-new-music-video-7178.html |archive-date=7 May 2018}}

{{Cite web |last=Xalxo |first=Jessica |date=5 August 2019 |title=Exclusive Premiere: Mali Weaves a Cautionary Tale in 'Mango Showers' Music Video |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-premiere-mali-weaves-cautionary-tale-mango-showers-music-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190808170910/https://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-premiere-mali-weaves-cautionary-tale-mango-showers-music-video/ |archive-date=8 August 2019 |access-date=8 August 2019 |website=Rolling Stone India}}

{{Cite news |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=1 October 2015 |title=The tale of two Bruce Lees |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-tale-of-two-bruce-lees/article7711724.ece |url-status=live |access-date=5 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152610/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/the-tale-of-two-bruce-lees/article7711724.ece |archive-date=8 October 2020}}

{{Cite web |title=Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai Balakumara (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/idharkuthaane-aasaipattai/915299307 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202213107/https://itunes.apple.com/in/album/idharkuthaane-aasaipattai/id915299307 |archive-date=2 February 2016 |access-date=9 December 2015 |website=iTunes}}

{{Cite news |date=23 November 2013 |title=Audio Beat: Malini 22 Palayamkottai – Catalyst for change |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-malini-22-palayamkottai-catalyst-for-change/article5383285.ece |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126051647/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-malini-22-palayamkottai-catalyst-for-change/article5383285.ece |archive-date=26 November 2013}}

{{Cite news |title=Fresh Indie Fridays #80 Featuring Apoorva, Natasha Noorani and Mali |work=Rolling Stone India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/new-indie-music-releases-apoorva-natasha-noorani-mali/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331083717/https://rollingstoneindia.com/new-indie-music-releases-apoorva-natasha-noorani-mali/ |archive-date=31 March 2023}}

{{Cite web |last=Jaiswal |first=Nishtha |date=8 April 2021 |title=Mali breaks out as a formidable force of pop on Caution to the Wind |url=https://ahummingheart.com/reviews/mali-breaks-out-as-a-formidable-force-of-pop-on-caution-to-the-wind/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206202311/https://ahummingheart.com/reviews/mali-breaks-out-as-a-formidable-force-of-pop-on-caution-to-the-wind/ |archive-date=6 December 2022 |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=A Humming Heart}}

{{Cite news |last=Britto |first=David |date=27 January 2017 |title=Exclusive Premiere: Hear Singer-Songwriter Mali's Acoustic-Pop Debut EP 'Rush' |work=Rolling Stone India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-premiere-hear-singer-songwriter-malis-acoustic-pop-debut-ep-rush/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422192641/https://rollingstoneindia.com/exclusive-premiere-hear-singer-songwriter-malis-acoustic-pop-debut-ep-rush/ |archive-date=22 April 2023}}

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• {{YouTube|user=MaliManojMusic|Mali}}

{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Indian Act}}

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Category:1993 births

Category:21st-century Indian singers

Category:21st-century Indian women singers

Category:Indian women singer-songwriters

Category:Indian singer-songwriters

Category:Living people

Category:Singers from Chennai

Category:Women musicians from Kerala