Mohiniattam by Bindu Rajendren - Padam (Kaminimani)

Kamini Mani is a very famous padham and one of the few compositions of Swathi Thirunal that we know is in its original raga. Since many of Maharaja’s compositions were only written down and not orally handed down, the original raga of many of his compositions is unknown and have been experimented with in the early 20th century.
Many of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal’s Padhams portray the nayika complaining to the sakhi. What sets Kamini Mani apart is the storyline of the dialogue (uktha prayuktha padam) between the nayika and sakhi. The nayika has sent her sakhi to lord padmanabha to convince him to come back and see her. Instead the sakhi comes back empty handed after having a love-tryst with the Lord. The ensuing part of this padham is a conversation where the Nayika tries to catch her Sakhi out by asking why her face is sweating, why her hair is dishevelled, the vermilion on her forehead disturbed, and so on. The Sakhi blames the sun, the wind and creates excuses using whatever comes to her mind but is finally caught out by the Nayika who has known the truth all along.
This composition is predominantly in Poorvakamodari ragam with the final few verses in Saveri and is choreographed by Guru Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi Prabhu. This composition is in mishrachaapu thalam.
Choreography: Dr. Kalamandalam Sugandhi Prabhu
Vocals: Deepa Palanad
Music Production: Sudeep Palanad