TN Assembly Unanimously Resolves to Give 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' First Place at State Events

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming that Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state’s official song, must be sung first at government events, educational institutions and other public functions across the state.

The resolution, passed on August 10, was moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who said giving the State Song the first place was a matter of Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity and state rights. The resolution received support from the DMK, AIADMK and Congress.

Tamil Thai Vazhthu, meaning “Invocation to Mother Tamil,” is a song honouring the Tamil language, culture and heritage. Its lyrics are taken from Manonmaniam, a 1891 Tamil play by scholar Manonmaniam Sundaranar.

The song has long held a special place in official functions in Tamil Nadu. A government order issued on November 23, 1970, directed that it be sung at the beginning of government programmes. In 2021, Tamil Thai Vazhthu was formally accorded the status of Tamil Nadu’s State Song, with its rendition made mandatory before programmes at educational institutions, government offices, universities, public sector undertakings and other public institutions.

The latest resolution comes amid a recent debate over the sequencing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, Vande Mataram and the National Anthem at official functions. It follows observations made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in a July 9, 2026 letter concerning the singing of the State Song.

The move has been welcomed by actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan, who described the resolution as “heartening and commendable”. He said the state should continue its approach of standing firm on its rights and cultural identity.

Vijay said Tamil was not merely a language but a thought, culture and civilisation, describing the resolution as a tribute to “Mother Tamil”. He also stressed that Tamil Thai Vazhthu must hold the first place at state functions.

Thus, the resolution does not make Tamil Thai Vazhthu the State Song for the first time. Rather, it reaffirms its existing status and explicitly reinforces its position as the opening song at official functions in Tamil Nadu.