Mali: Redefining Indian Music, One Honest Note at a Time

When Malavika Manoj — better known by her stage name Mali — stepped into Sydney for the first time, it was more than just another tour stop. Performing at SXSW Sydney 2024 as part of India House, she found herself thousands of kilometres away from her home in urban India, yet deeply connected to audiences who were eager to experience a new voice from the subcontinent.

“It’s my first time in Australia, my first time in Sydney, and hopefully not my last,” she told Ria Patel of Made in India Magazine during our exclusive interview at Tumbalong Park.

The Artist Behind the Name

Mali describes herself simply: “I sing, I write songs, and I play instruments to accompany the songs that I write when I perform.” Behind this modest summary is a rising artist whose music blends the textures of contemporary global sounds with the perspectives of a young Indian navigating urban life.

What sets Mali apart is not a reliance on traditional “Indian” instrumentation but her storytelling. “I’ve been told that my music is not technically Indian sounding, but the stuff I write about is from the point of view of a girl in urban India—and that’s what I can bring to the table.”

This perspective, shaped by her roots and her environment, resonates with the growing globalisation of Indian music—an industry no longer defined solely by Bollywood but by an increasingly diverse set of voices, genres, and narratives.

First Impressions of Sydney

Though her time in the city was limited to conference schedules, Mali was quick to notice Sydney’s energy. “From what I’ve seen, it’s a gorgeous city. It reminds me of the best parts of so many other places I’ve been to,” she said.

One moment stood out for her: attending a DJ night where Punjabi hits filled the dance floor. “For a second, I had to remind myself that I’m actually in Australia,” she laughed. It was a small reminder of how deeply the Indian diaspora has embedded itself into Australia’s multicultural fabric.

Music Beyond Borders

Asked about the future of Indian music, Mali reflected on a shifting landscape. “Initially, it was very much localised to Bollywood and Bollywood-centric sounds. Now that’s opening up—even in terms of genres, the types of people getting involved, the kinds of things they’re talking about in music. It’s just going to be more and more of that, and I’m excited.”

In her own work, she seeks to surprise audiences. Sometimes that means blending calmness with energy. When asked to describe how she wants listeners to feel, she chose three words: “Excited and also calm.”

One of the songs that helps her find calm herself is Sleep, a choral composition by Eric Whitacre. “I play it anytime I’m stuck in crazy traffic—it helps me reset.”

Authenticity Over Expectations

Mali’s career, which began with singing in her bedroom, has evolved into international performances like SXSW Sydney. But she remains grounded. “Music has opened more doors than I could have imagined in any other career, and for that I’m grateful. This is one of many steps in that direction.”

Looking back, she would tell her younger self just one thing: stay authentic. “In Indian families, you always have uncles and aunties telling you what to do—‘you should sing for Bollywood, you should sing like this.’ They mean well, but if you’re always chasing what others think will work, you lose what’s unique to you. What has helped me, and what’s helping a lot of artists now, is staying authentic and bringing something new to the table.”

A New Chapter

From her bedroom in India to the festival grounds of Sydney, Mali’s story is one of persistence and perspective. She may not always sound “Indian” in the traditional sense, but that is precisely the point. Her music reflects the lived realities of a generation of Indians who are global citizens, yet deeply rooted in their own identities.

“Being Indian, just who you are, is absolutely enough,” Ria Patel told her during their conversation. Mali’s work is living proof of that—bridging cultures, breaking stereotypes, and reminding us that Indian music today is as much about authenticity as it is about evolution.