Mali (cartoonist)

Mali (cartoonist) Biography

T. R. Mahalingam, better known by his pen name Mali was a leading cartoonist and illustrator from Tamil Nadu in the 20^th century. He was the Tamil Press's first caricaturist. His political cartoons are very famous. Mali designed the famous logo for Gemini Studios, one of the top film producing companies of south India since 1940’s. The Gemini twins became a household symbol and the Gemini flyover was named after the original studio at that junction.

He was a cartoonist and senior artist at Ananda Vikatan and majority of his satire works became popular through this magazine. Noted artist and illustrator Silpi was also associated with him and Ananda Viketan during this time and was greatly influenced by his works towards the end of his phase. Not only that, he was rechristened as Silpi by none other than him. Ananda Vikatan, the Tamil magazine, promoted cartoons in a big way and it was started with Mali’s cartoons mostly belonging to ‘politics’ category. Gopulu, Raju, Silpi, Thanu, Sridhar and Madhan are the noted cartoonists who followed him and contributed to Ananda Vikatan. Apart from Silpi, he also mentored Gopulu.

Mali started his career in the early 1930’s and was associated with Indian Express Daily. He had a brief stint with Free Press Journal before he started his full time association with Ananda Vikatan - the first popular Tamil periodical. He also drew cartoons for its English language magazine, ‘Merry Magazine’ and later served as its editor as well. Though he left the editorial job soon, he continued with the series 'Private Joyful in Madras' till the magazine was shut down.

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Updated: June 17, 2014