Maalavika Manoj, aka Mali, has become one of the most intriguing voices in the indie music scene. With her retro-tinted vibes and heartfelt lyricism, Mali successfully infuses an old-world charm, balancing it with modern musical sensibilities.
The singer has released two EPs, several singles, and one full-length album titled ‘Caution to the Wind’, which was one of the most critically acclaimed albums in the Indian indie space in 2021. Whether it is lending vocals and songwriting prowess for projects like Rajkummar Rao starrer Badhai Do, or crafting swooning indie ballads, Mali seamlessly manoeuvres through genres.
Mali’s music sounds like the lovechild of Fleetwood Mac and Radiohead—a vintage sound perfectly amalgamating with contemporary sonic ease. She has collaborated with several stalwarts in the music space, like the Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Indus Creed, Raghav Meattle and others. Her discography has created international ripples, helping her win the MTV European Music Award for Best Indian Act in 2024, along with her single Semi Automatic Butane getting featured on Fortnite’s Radio Underground.
Authenticity and vulnerability come out beautifully through her impeccable vocals and sonic storytelling that have led to some big milestones during her music career. During a special event of Apple Music India, Mali met Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, when he came to India to unveil the first Apple Store in the country. She was the first Indian artist to be selected by Spotify to be a part of its prestigious RADAR program, along with getting recognition from leading global media outlets like BBC, which featured her in a music documentary called Rhythms of India, as well as a live news broadcast during the pandemic. Her universal appeal helped her to be an opening act for Ed Sheeran during his Bengaluru leg of The Mathematics Tour, where she played to a total of around 40,000 across both days.
The singer has performed at some of the most prominent avenues around the world, including SXSW Sydney, Music Matters Singapore, Le Zénith in Paris, Wembley Arena, and Lollapalooza India. Mali was also invited to perform during the inaugural event of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center in Mumbai. A Forbes 30 Under 30 inductee, Mali has carved a distinctive niche for herself in the indie music scene, crafting compelling productions with her angelic voice and becoming an exciting musician all set for global domination.
