Browse by Artist: MAHALINGAM, T.R.

Artist:	MAHALINGAM, T.R.
Title:	Mali: Essential Recordings of Carnatic Bamboo Flute, 1969-70
Label:	EM RECORDS (JAPAN)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$25.50
Catalog #:	EM 1089CD

EM Records and Meditations, from Kyoto, are pleased to announce the reissue, on double vinyl and double CD, of two classic 1969 and 1970 LP releases from Indian bamboo flute legend T.R. Mahalingam, known as "Mali" to his fans. Born in Tamil Nadu in 1925, Mali was a true original whose musicality revolutionized Indian flute playing, elevating the instrument from its folk origins to the heights of art music, imbued with spirituality, without losing vitality or succumbing to the blandishments of fame. Mali was a beguiling combination of virtuosity, spirituality and rebelliousness, and his music reflects this, and much more. He was a legend and a master. Mali's virtuosity was innate; he picked up the flute, against his father's wishes, at the age of five, and gave his first performance at seven, to great acclaim, eventually playing with other legendary musicians including the revered violinist Palghat Mani Iyer. Mahalingam developed tremendous control of the instrument, able to sustain single notes for over 40 seconds, able to play any music after hearing it only once, but he used his virtuosity to serve the music, pursuing the Carnatic ideal of the voice as the purest form of music. He sang with the flute. In contrast with the mechanically-keyed Western flute, the Indian bamboo flute allows the player to directly touch the finger holes, allowing access to a wider range of tones and contributing to this vocal quality. Mali added an extra hole to his flutes, increasing his expressivity, and performed other modifications to bring him closer to the ideal of the human voice. Mali's technical innovations also included the development of new fingering techniques and the introduction of a unique hand positioning, the "parrot clutch." This relentless search allowed the flute, for the first time, to be elevated to the highest ranks of Carnatic music. Mali was spiritually driven. He had a life-changing religious experience at the age of sixteen, lending a sense of depth and introversion to his music. He claimed to have seen god many times while playing, and was known to cut concert appearances short in such instances. He was also said to have been able to communicate with birds through his music. Legendary in India, Mahalingam was very influential in Europe and North America also, especially among composers including La Monte Young and Terry Riley. Olivier Messiaen, another bird lover, was keenly interested in Mali's music, and one may hear this influence in a number of Messiaen's pieces. So, a legend. A master. And beyond words. Please listen to Mali.

Artist:	MAHALINGAM, T.R.
Title:	Portrait Of A Prodigy: His Early Years, 1940s-50s
Label:	EM RECORDS (JAPAN)
Format:	CD
Price:	$20.00
Catalog #:	EM 1099CD

The music on this release consists of the earliest recordings by flautist T.R. Mahalingam, a legendary figure in the Carnatic music of South India, one of the world's great musical traditions. Mahalingam, known as "Mali" to his legions of fans and admirers, was a musician who revered these traditions yet opened new realms, raising the flute to levels of voice-like expressivity. Portrait Of A Prodigy: His Early Years, 1940-50s reissues, for the first time, recordings from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s and show Mali at the peak of his powers, his acclaimed technical skills and rich tone at the service of his immense melodic and rhythmic gifts. The majority of these recordings were originally released in the 78 rpm SP format and feature him with two of his greatest musical partners, violinist T. Chowdiah and mridangam master Palghat Mani Iyer. Available for the first time as a commercial release outside of India, Portrait Of A Prodigy is a rare opportunity to hear a genius in his prime. A must-have for all fans of Indian music and for all who appreciate the joys of rhythmic playfulness and melodic mastery. Housed in a gatefold cardboard sleeve jacket with liner notes in English and Japanese.

Artist:	MAHALINGAM, T.R.
Title:	Portrait Of A Prodigy: His Early Years, 1940s-50s
Label:	EM RECORDS (JAPAN)
Format:	LP
Price:	$23.50
Catalog #:	EM 1099LP

LP version. The music on this release consists of the earliest recordings by flautist T.R. Mahalingam, a legendary figure in the Carnatic music of South India, one of the world's great musical traditions. Mahalingam, known as "Mali" to his legions of fans and admirers, was a musician who revered these traditions yet opened new realms, raising the flute to levels of voice-like expressivity. Portrait Of A Prodigy: His Early Years, 1940-50s reissues, for the first time, recordings from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s and show Mali at the peak of his powers, his acclaimed technical skills and rich tone at the service of his immense melodic and rhythmic gifts. The majority of these recordings were originally released in the 78 rpm SP format and feature him with two of his greatest musical partners, violinist T. Chowdiah and mridangam master Palghat Mani Iyer. Available for the first time as a commercial release outside of India, Portrait Of A Prodigy is a rare opportunity to hear a genius in his prime. A must-have for all fans of Indian music and for all who appreciate the joys of rhythmic playfulness and melodic mastery.

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