T.R. Mahalingam

Tiruvidaimarudur Ramaswamy Mahalingam (6 November 1926 – 31 May 1986), affectionately known as Mali, was a flautist who revolutionised the style of flute-playing in Carnatic music. Early life He was born in Thiruvidaimarudur, Tanjavur district in Tamil Nadu to Ramaswami and Neelambal. His parents named him after Mahalingaswamy (Shiva), the deity of the nearby Hindu temple. He had an elder sister Devaki, an elder brother, three younger sisters and a younger brother. He started learning singing music from his maternal uncle Gopal, who ran a famous music school.