Tamil Nadu House sings in same tune: Tamil Thai Vazhthu comes first, always

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution asserting that the State Song, 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu', must be sung first before the commencement of programmes conducted by all educational institutions, government offices, and public sector undertakings.

Tamil is not just a language; it is a culture, a civilisation, a thought, and love. Tamil means hospitality; Tamil means gethu (boldness); Tamil means power – C Joseph Vijay, Chief Minister

"Mother language is equal to our mother, and it carries great sanctity. When we consider our mother sacred, how can we ignore our Tamil soil and Tamil Thai Vazhthu, which invokes and celebrates Tamil? We will never let it happen," said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay while moving the resolution.

"Which country does not have Tamil and Tamils? Tamil is not just a language; it is a culture, a civilisation, a thought, and love. Tamil means hospitality; Tamil means gethu (boldness); Tamil means power," he added.

'Tamil Thai Vazhthu', an invocation to Mother Tamil, was taken from Manonmaniam, written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891.

Recalling the Government Orders dated on November 23, 1970, and December 12, 2021, that mandated its rendition as invocation song at all functions organised by the government, educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions in the State, the resolution said it was not merely a song but an expression of respect for the Tamil language and Tamil culture.

The resolution, which was welcomed by members cutting across party lines, said Tamil Thai Vazhthu shall be mandatorily sung first before the commencement of programmes.

Meanwhile, with a petition in this regard reaching the Madras High Court, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan told the division bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan that the Union Home Ministry did not insist that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung last, but has only stated that when the National Anthem and National Song Vande Mataram are sung together, Vande Mataram must be sung first.

What MHA says

When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, National Song will be sung or played first- Para IV (2) of Order on National Song

In some of the States, State Song is also sung and played along with the National Anthem/National Song. It is stated that whenever the State Song is sung or played with the National Song/National Anthem, both the National Song and National Anthem shall be sung or played together; and the National Song will be sung or played first followed by the National Anthem.

(Source: Ministry of Home Affairs circular dated July 9, 2026)