CHENNAI: In a decisive push to safeguard the state’s cultural identity, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution making it mandatory for the state anthem, “Tamil Thai Vazhthu”, to be sung at the beginning of all official programmes across educational institutions, government offices, public sector undertakings and public institutions in the state.The resolution was moved by chief minister C. Joseph Vijay amid growing friction over a Union government directive dated July 9, 2026, which prescribed placing the state anthem last—after Vande Mataram and the National Anthem. The row recently escalated after “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” was relegated to third place during a convocation ceremony at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.“In Tamil Nadu, the practice of singing ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ first at all government functions and in educational institutions has been followed since the 1970s, both as a long-standing tradition and in accordance with government orders. Therefore, this House emphasises that ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ is an expression of respect for the Tamil language and Tamil culture,” the resolution stated.“Tamil Thai Vazhthu”, the invocation to Mother Tamil taken from the 1891 play “Manonmaniam” written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar, was first brought into practice through a government order dated November 23, 1970, which stipulated that it be sung first at government functions. Decades later, on December 12, 2021, it was officially accorded recognition as the State Song.Emphasising the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India, and with a view to preserving the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu, the Assembly unanimously resolved that “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” shall be mandatorily sung first, before the commencement of programmes in educational institutions, including universities, PSUs, government offices and public institutions.
