T.R. Mahalingam (Flute Mali) was known for playing which instrument?

Explanation

T.R. Mahalingam (1926-1986), popularly known as "Flute Mali" or simply "Mali", was a legendary flautist of Carnatic music. He is credited with transforming the bamboo flute (venu) into a major concert instrument of Carnatic music.

T.R. Mahalingam was born in Tiruvidaimarudur, in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. He was a child prodigy who taught himself to play the flute, and he gave his first public concert at the age of seven. Before him, the flute was not considered capable of expressing the subtle ornaments (gamakas) and sliding notes of Carnatic music, which are usually performed by the voice or the veena. Mali developed new fingering techniques and a new way of blowing that allowed the flute to imitate the human voice and to play gamakas with great beauty. He was known for his creativity and his unpredictable genius, and he influenced generations of flautists. His students and followers include N. Ramani and many others. He received many honours for his contribution to Carnatic music.

The flute is one of the oldest instruments of India and is closely associated with Lord Krishna, who is often shown playing it. In Carnatic music, the flute is called the venu or pullanguzhal, and it usually has eight finger holes. In Hindustani music, the bamboo flute is called the bansuri. Pandit Pannalal Ghosh is credited with developing the bansuri as a concert instrument of Hindustani music, and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is its most famous modern player. Other famous Carnatic flautists include N. Ramani, Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar and Shashank Subramanyam.

Why not the other options?

Nadaswaram is a large double-reed wind instrument of South Indian temple music, linked with players such as T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai.

Veena is linked with players such as S. Balachander and Chitti Babu.

Violin is linked with players such as Lalgudi Jayaraman and L. Subramaniam.