Chennai, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Monday moved a special resolution in the state Assembly seeking to retain ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ as the opening song at functions organised by government departments, educational institutions and public bodies.
Moving the resolution, Vijay said the state song symbolised Tamil Nadu’s respect for the Tamil language, culture and heritage. He stressed that continuing the established practice of singing it at the beginning of official programmes was important for preserving the state’s cultural identity.
The resolution noted Tamil’s status as a classical language and highlighted the antiquity of Tamil civilisation. It also traced the history of ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’, which is drawn from Manonmaniam, a work written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891.
Vijay said the song has been sung at the start of government functions in Tamil Nadu for more than five decades, following a government order issued on November 23, 1970. Its position was further reinforced on December 12, 2021, when it was formally declared the state song.
Subsequently, singing ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ at the beginning of programmes became mandatory at educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public organisations across the state.
The latest resolution comes against the backdrop of a July 1, 2026 communication from the Union Home Ministry concerning the protocol for state songs at official functions.
According to the resolution, the Centre’s prescribed sequence places the National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’, before the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’. The Tamil Nadu government contended that following this sequence would place ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ at the end of the ceremonial proceedings, prompting objections in the state.
The state government maintained that the established practice of opening official programmes with ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ should continue.
The resolution seeks the Assembly’s support for retaining the state song as the opening song at functions organised by state government departments, educational institutions and other state-controlled bodies, while maintaining the existing protocol governing the National Song and National Anthem.
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