Mali On Crafting Cinematic Pop: 'Dr. Dust Had To Feel Both Comfortable And Unsettling

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Mali talks to News18 Showsha about her latest single Dr. Dust, her creative process, cultic visuals, and staying honest in today's music industry.
Mali, the evocative moniker of singer-songwriter Maalavika Manoj, is not just an artist—she's a storyteller who makes sense of chaos through melody. With a discography that spans tender introspection and bold experimentation, she's steadily become one of the most magnetic voices in India's independent music scene. Her latest single Dr. Dust is both a sonic departure and a philosophical reckoning—a hypnotic piece that wraps themes of control and vulnerability inside synth-heavy grooves and cinematic visuals.
Born in Chennai and raised on a diet of AR Rahman, Ilayaraja, and Joni Mitchell, Mali's music today is a shimmering blend of retro nostalgia and contemporary texture. Whether she's unpacking personal journeys or offering quiet critiques of societal structures, her songwriting pulses with poetic melancholy and fierce self-awareness. She's not afraid to be vulnerable—because, in her world, truth is the core of every song.
In this candid conversation with News18 Showsha, Mali opens up about the cultic inspirations behind Dr. Dust, the emotional and artistic duality that defines her sound, and what it means to be a woman creating art in the digital age. From early roles as a background artist to performing at Wembley Arena, from working with legends like A.R. Rahman to crafting Tamil synthpop, Mali charts a path that is fearless, fluid, and deeply rooted in feeling.
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Here are the excerpts:
'Dr. Dust" feels both personal and socially reflective. What inspired this track, and what does the 'dust' symbolize for you?
Dr. Dust to me represents all forms of subversive control. It was inspired by controlling power dynamics that go unnoticed in everyday life but are potentially extremely dangerous.
There's a hypnotic groove and a cinematic quality to the music video. How involved were you in shaping the visual narrative, and what message were you hoping to convey?
Very involved. I became obsessed with the world of cults and how so many of them were just bizarre in their belief systems but still found loyal followers. I shared this fascination with Hitaali Dharamshi, the director of the video and we both conceptualized a story based on a fictional cult. In the belief system of this cult, a leader had to be ritually sacrificed before a new successor could rise to her position, and that circle of life carries on.
The track evokes a kind of dreamy disillusionment. Was there a specific moment or event that triggered its creation?
It was meant to sound like a confusing feeling – at once both comfortable and unsettling. Rohan Rajadhyaksha, the producer of the track and I spent a lot of time fine-tuning the arrangement to get it to this place and we may have come up with a few different versions of the song before arriving at this one.
You've often been praised for your evocative lyricism. What comes first for you—melody or words? Or is it more intuitive?
It's always a tough question. For me, they both come together at the same time. The melody informs the turns the lyrics take, and the other way around.
Which non-musical art forms—literature, films, or even visual art—influence your songwriting the most?
I would say visual art and films.
Your writing has a sense of poetic melancholy. Do you journal often, or is songwriting your primary mode of expression?
Songwriting is my primary form of journaling. If you were to string all my songs in chronological order it could in some way spell out the journey of my life through various trains of thought.
Your music blends classic pop nostalgia with modern sonic textures. How do you navigate those eras in your songwriting?
It comes pretty naturally since I listen to various kinds of music without discriminating or putting them in boxes.
You've collaborated with icons like A.R. Rahman and represented India on global stages. How have those experiences shaped your creative voice?
It's always nice watching other artists at work and observing how they approach certain things. I believe it's the most enriching to experience all types of musical pursuits, as you never know what it might lead to.
You've said before that being vulnerable in your music is a strength. How do you stay rootedand authentic in an industry that's constantly evolving?
I only write or release what I feel strongly about and for a song to make it to the production stage, it has to be something that resonates with me on multiple levels.
From Spotify's RADAR artist to performing for Apple CEO Tim Cook, how do you manage the balance between artistic expression and commercial visibility?
I believe that if you do something with consistency and honesty, people will eventually take notice, so I don't necessarily think artistic expression and commercial visibility are mutually exclusive.
Do you think Indian indie music today allows more space for introspective, genre-bending artists like yourself?
I think so. It's happening more and more every day and it's good to see a market of listeners that are willing to be more experimental in the musical discovery aspect as well.
You've been a strong voice in India's independent music space. What changes would you like to see in how the industry supports indie artists?
I think the biggest issue plaguing indie artists is the lack of independent venues for bands to perform. Most of our venues are essentially bars, nightclubs and restaurants that favour artists who serve more lively performances and fuel more alcohol sales. We need non-nightlife venues that can foster the growth of younger musicians and bands and also open their doors to audiences who don't necessarily want to make a night out of attending a gig.
What kind of stories are you most drawn to telling next—more personal, more experimental, or perhaps both?
Both. But let's see.
You've spoken about being inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell. Are there any contemporary songwriters today you feel a kinship with musically?
Madison Cunningham is an excellent songwriter, composer, and guitar player.
When you look back at your earlier music like 'Caution to the Wind," how do you feel your sound has matured since then?
I always like changing things up and trying new approaches with my music, so my sound is constantly evolving between releases.
What was it like performing at Wembley Arena and Le Zénith? How did those stages impact your presence as a performer?
They gave me something to aspire to.
Have your Tamil roots ever found their way into your songwriting or sonic palettes, consciously or subconsciously?
Yes, I have a song called Anniku Raathiri, which was composed by myself and written by Madhan Karky. I grew up on a lot of Tamil music by AR Rahman and Ilayaraja and wanted to pay homage to the music culture I was raised in by attempting to introduce something that hasn't been done before – Tamil synthpop.
As a woman navigating both the music industry and the digital age, what are some lessons you've learned that younger artists might benefit from?
To stay consistent and find a way to have a balanced relationship with social media, streaming numbers, fan relationships and the self.
I'm dabbling with the idea of working on a new album. I'm currently in the process of writing some new songs and planning the next steps.
First Published:
May 30, 2025, 19:41 IST