An artist and Mridangam player, Mannarkoil J. Balaji started learning and performing at a young age after his skills were recognised by his mother. He has received numerous state awards and recognitions and has written articles about South Indian rhythms. Long years of learning and a dedicated interest in the field have made him a renowned name in this field.

Mannarkoil J. Balaji is a Mridangam player from Chennai.

Balaji has won several accolades and recognitions from the state. Since there wasn't much material available, he believes that producing several essays about South Indian rhythms is also an accomplishment. In addition, he began to systematise the learning process that many artists today still adhere to.

He says that he enjoyed playing with earthen pots and would tap on them from a young age. Her mother saw that he was interested in music and signed him up with a guru to help him master the instrument. He had instruction from Tanjore Shri.R. Ramadoss and Ramanathapuram M.N. Kandaswamy Pillai for almost fifteen years.

Regarding his schooling, he attended Tamil schools up until the tenth grade before switching to English schools. Following that, he completed PG diplomas in journalism, computer application, and master's degrees in both English and Hindi literature.

Speaking about his role models, Mannarkoil J. Balaji states that we meet new individuals at every stage of evaluation and development, from whom we pick up new skills and develop personally. He continues to view all of his gurus as his own role models.

According to Mannarkoil J. Balaji, in order to preserve mental tranquillity, he makes an effort to distance himself from any unfavourable external incidents and events. He is not affected by outside events, and, in the event that anything upsets him, he retreats into music to find solace. He goes on to say that lifelong learning is the path to mental tranquillity.

When asked about his life motto, Balaji responds that because no one else is breathing for us, we should concentrate on enjoying our own lives and, if at all possible, giving someone else a new life.

He believes that making mistakes in life is part of the process. He thinks that mistakes help us learn, and those made during performances reignite the learning process. He views it as a cyclical aspect of life.