-T.R.Mahalingam ailas Maali performing at Kerala Fine Arts hall, with T.Rukmini and Madhurai Krishna Iyengar. Maali had always a passion for the game of cards and had the gall in cancelling a concert if he found the playing session too absorbing. He was also fond of cricket and in his native place, namely, Tiruvidamaruthoor, as a child, he used to play the game. There were many Nagaswaram players and Bhatathanatyam Nattuvanars around his house, where daily lessons were taken in Pipe music and dance. Eye-witnesses say that Maali used to reproduce on his flute at night whatever he had picked up by way of music when he played cricket during the day