Mali on Her Journey, Indie-Pop Music, and Patience in Creativity

Mumbai-based indie-pop singer Mali, whose real name is Maalavika Manoj, has quietly become one of India’s most promising independent artists. With roots in Kerala, she has built her music around honest emotions, relatable lyrics, and a sound that connects with listeners across India. Recently, she had a full-circle moment, collaborating with Nischay Parekh from Kolkata’s famous indie-pop duo, Parekh and Singh, the very artist who inspired her during college.

“I first read about Nischay back in college when he was at Berklee,” Mali remembers. “I thought, wow, lucky guy. Their music showed that Indian indie pop could compete on the global stage.” Now, she sings alongside him on his new song, Location. The track has been in the making since 2020, going through demos, live performances, and multiple versions before reaching listeners.

Mali’s own songs usually come from personal feelings and experiences. Location was different. It’s about places and the world outside. “Even though I didn’t write it, spending time with the song made me feel its world. Some of that will naturally influence my own songs in the future,” she says.

Her music has also changed over the years. “At 20, I wrote about heartbreaks and teenage feelings. At 30, my interests are different. You grow, and your songs grow with you,” Mali explains. “I like showing that change and surprising people with new sounds.”

She is now working on her second album, expected next year. She has written nine songs and is collaborating with producer Keshav Dhar. “I first demoed the songs alone, and now we are refining them together. Next, I want to jam with the band, feel the live energy, and then go back to the studio. It’s slow, but I love seeing the songs grow,” she says.

Being an independent artist in India also means managing everything herself, music, promotions, websites, and even recording for brands. “It feels like doing one and a half jobs,” Mali says. “Switching between creative work and admin work is tiring, but that’s part of being an indie artist.”

Streaming platforms and AI have changed the Indian music scene a lot. “In 2020, around 50,000 songs were uploaded on Spotify every day. Today it’s 120,000, and some aren’t even made by humans,” she says. “What will stand out is real music, live instruments, real rooms, even small home performances. That human touch matters most.”

Even on tough days, when self-doubt hits, Mali finds hope in her listeners. “Sometimes I see five or ten people streaming my songs at three in the morning somewhere in the world. It’s a small thing, but it shows the music keeps travelling even while I sleep.”

Mali’s journey is a story of patience, growth, and staying true to her art. From college inspiration to global collaboration, she shows that India’s indie-pop scene is growing, evolving, and connecting deeply with audiences. Her music is real, her growth is visible, and she continues to inspire emerging Indian artists with her honest approach to music.

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