Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar is a noted South Indian musician playing the flute. Mala Chandrasekhar was born to a musical family.

Mala Chandrasekhar started learning from her aunt and mother Sikkil Sisters - Kunjumani & Neela. In playing style, Mala combines the strongest aspects of both Aunt Kunjumani's clear classic lines with Mother Neela's flair and expressiveness.

Mala imbibed through her mothers the flute artistry of their peternal uncle, Azhiyur Narayanaswamy Iyer and the rigorous rhythmic training given by their mrudungam playing father, Azhiyur Natesa Iyer. Other major influences on Mala's playing are the expertise and repertoire of noted vocalist and teacher Radha Viswanathan and of Radha's mother and guru M.S. Subbulakshmi whose family Mala joined by marriage

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikkil_Mala_Chandrasekar)

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My Life History - http://flutemala.in/autobiography.php

Born in a reputed musical family on 23rd August 1963, I started learning flute at the age of five from my gurus Padmasree Sangeetha Kalanidhi Smt Sikkil Neela (Mother) and Smt. Sikkil Kunjumani (Aunt). Learning was very informal. I was gifted a small flute in Nagercoil (think it was pitch ‘7’ to suit my little fingers) . They very casually taught me how to create sound, special blowing exercises and sarali varisais in ragam ‘Harikamboji’. Literally speaking, the basic lessons in sarali varisai took months for me to play on the flute. So slow and non-receptive I was to music. However my mother and aunt used to coax and cajole me to play on the flute.

Lessons progressed slowly until my 15th year when they decided to do my arangetram. This was done at “Sakthivel llam”, Mylapore our spiritual guru’s house (Sri Mani Swamigal) in an unconventional manner with Sri. S.D. Sridhar on the violin and Sri.Srimushnam.V. Rajarao on the Mridangam. Later I passed through auditions in all India radio for youth programme where I performed at regular intervals. .

It was at this time that I happened to be auditioned and selected by Doordarshan Kendra in 1980 to perform in “Ilam thendral” programme (a 15 minutes slot)-live. I had played Thyagaraja’s tholijenma-belahari , Ramakathasudha-madhyamavathi and a song in behag. This programme brought me lots of appreciation from many great musicians like late Smt. Brindamma and late Sri. Nagarajan- reputed Khanjira artiste. It was at this point that late Sri. Yagnaraman of Krishna Gana Sabha (who happened to watch the TV programme) gave me the first opportunity to perform my debut concert at the sabha in August 1980.from then on, my musical responsibilities gradually increased.

At this juncture, I got the first prize from all India radio for “wind instrument category” blessed by late Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi (MSS) in 1982 and was there upon graded to give regular concerts in radio. At the same time, my inter collegiate music competitions (represented Stella Maris college where I studied) were also instrumental in building up my confidence to emerge as a successful musician.

It was during my final year, that I had the opportunity to participate in the “Violin Venu Veena” trio ensemble with smt Lalagudi Vijayalakshmi on the violin and my friend Padmavathi on the veena. Soon this became successful and Lalgudi mama suggested such an ensemble for concerts. We performed our debut concert at Krishna Gana Sabha along with Veenai Jayanthi on 1.1.1986. My association with Lalgudi mama’s family taught me many values in life such as discipline, hard work and dedication to the cause of music.

It was on 20th June of that year that i joined the family of the legendary MSS through marriage. This indeed provided me an additional mileage to attain perfection in my musical career. Besides the VVV ensemble also had the opportunity to perform with Sikkil Sisters as flute trio which helped me to improve my repertoire in the concert platform. My very first gift from my husband and mother-in-law was an electronic Tambura. MSS would teach me about Sruthi Suddham and with Tambura, I would practice daily. In this way I was very lucky to get the right kind of encouragement from my inlaws in my musical journey.

My Education - http://flutemala.in/education.php

I studied in Rosary Matriculation School. Till my 7th standard, nobody knew that I would play the flute. I was very shy and refused to participate in school cultural activities. Later, one of my teachers took the initiative and made me play a solo piece. This became an opening for me to participate in inter school music competitions. My most interesting subject in school was biology and this encouraged me to take up botany as my major in Stella Maris College. Just loved that subject and used to be one among the class toppers. Soon my principal and head of the department, on knowing my potential, would allow me to participate in all cultural activities of the college. As a result, my interest in music blossomed and winning prizes for my college gave me great confidence to pursue my musical career.

During the same period, I started giving concerts in sabhas both in Chennai and outside. After my graduation, I joined Presidency College for post graduation in botany. It was destiny which completely made me a music professional as I was forced to discontinue my M.sc degree. Thanks to god for showing me this divine path of music. My other interests included painting, embroidery and a bit of creative hand work

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