Explore l T R Mahalingam (Mali) Birth Centenary Tribute - Part 1 l J A Jayant l MOPA

MOPA presents episode 11 of the Explore series on T R Mahalingam or Mali as he was popularly known (1926 – 1986). November 2025 marks the start of his birth centenary. To celebrate this milestone, MOPA presents a three-part edition of Explore, in which the young, gifted flautist J A Jayant guides listeners through the inner workings of Mali’s music, revealing what made him a singular and transformative presence in the world of sound.
In Part 1, Jayant visits the sonic landscape of Mali’s flute — its unmistakable tone, exacting pitch, and the inner temperament that shaped his maverick artistry and iconoclastic place in Carnatic music.

Is tradition set in stone? Is not change even within a musician’s lifetime in the natural order of things? Does custom or convention in musical practice have to be held sacrosanct at the cost of organic modification or adaptation? An artiste creates and modifies, subtly or otherwise, his or her style for several reasons – physical, emotional, intellectual, political or aesthetic. A stellar artiste preserves tradition not as a rigid, fossilized keepsake but as an intelligent amalgamation of inherited values as well as current inclinations.
MOPA's Explore is an analytical presentation by one or more young and talented Carnatic musicians, where they navigate these questions using recording excerpts of select musicians. They examine the musician’s approach to tonality, modulation, handling of composition and lyric as well as creative components (like alapana, neraval, tanam and kalpana swaram), grammar and a host of related aspects. They offer their own interpretations and observations based on what they have heard and analyzed. Every episode in this series promises a volley of insights into the musical style and technique of the musician being discussed. A treat for students, aspiring musicians, lay as well as experienced listeners.

These conversations are not intended to conclude, merely to present points to ponder.
Produced by MOPA Foundation ©2025

Sources for audio-video excerpts featured in this episode:
Behag alapana [01:26]    • Flute Mali at his best - short scintillati...  
Tulasi bilva [05:55]    • 36-Sri.T.R.Mahalingam-Flute-Live Concert  
Viriboni [10:03]. J A Jayant's collection
Kambhoji alapana[14:15]    • TR Mahalingam kambOdhi  
Shiva Shiva Shiva [17:59]    • Flute Mali Video - Last Concert - audio en...  
Manavyalakinchara [23:22].    • 36-Sri.T.R.Mahalingam-Flute-Live Concert  
Kapi alapana [27:25]    • Flute Mali   Best kApi you will hear!  
Kapi alapana 2 [32:38]    • Jam Session with 3 Geniuses – Mali, Chemba...  
Sindhubhairavi alapana [36:47]    • Flute Mali at his best - short scintillati...  
Begada alapana [39:19]    • Flute Mali/ TN Krishnan - bEgaDA RTP - Pla...