V. Madhavan Nair (1914–1994) more popularly known as Mali Madhavan Nair was an Indian lawyer, journalist, sportsman, musicologist, kathakali playwright, dramatist, editor and a pioneer in radio broadcasting.
Various posts he held include editorial board member of The Free Press Journal, editor of National Book Trust, station director of All India Radio, director of cultural affairs of Travancore Devaswom Board and chief editor of Kerala Nirmithi Kendram.
As a journalist he wrote on arts, literature, Indian architecture and sports for a variety of English publications like The Hindu, The Statesman and Malayalam periodicals like Mathrubhumi.
His father, also known as Sadasya Thilakan, was the first elected Deputy Speaker of the Travancore Legislative Assembly, Emeritus Professor of the Law College and member of the Senate of Travancore and Madras Universities.
The use of simple Malayalam in the lyrics or padams and the use of ragas such as Reethigowla and Hindolam, some of them for the first time in kathakali, added to its popular appeal.