The story of Meenakshi unfolds thus: The childless king, Malayathwaja Pandian, performs a yaga. His wish is granted, and a beautiful girl child appears from the sacred fire. She grows up proficient in fine arts, and warfare. As a ruler, she is ambitious, and desirous of extending the boundaries of her kingdom. She goes to Mount Kailash to fight Shiva. Unexpectedly, she falls in love with him on sight. Marriage follows subsequently.

Baby Mahati stole the show as the beautiful girl child. Her skill, and her sense of timing, were awesome, for a child just over three years old. Unfortunately, her appearance was all too brief. An older Meenakshi, shows off her prowess in warfare to her parents. Padma was uninhibited, and involved in her character portrayal. The coronation scene was also impressive, with the procession of the mandapam and the thoranam, musicians and elephants, all moving together in unison. The music set for this scene in Madhyamavathi, Saveri, and Pantuvarali ragams, went well with the mood. When the queen is distressed with her daughter's unmarried state, Padma, in her inimitable style, caricatures her prospective bridegrooms as old, cross eyed, etc. She consoles her mother, 'Aanai nee padharadhe' in ragam Mohanam, promising to marry, after completing her conquests. Her turn-around, from an aggressive ruler to a tongue-tied maiden when she sees, and falls for Shiva, was accomplished very subtly. Padma has that special talent of communication that gives her an edge in most situations. A thoroughly enjoyable evening, with music, dance, and story, all in tandem.