Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution for ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ to be mandatorily sung first at events

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday (August 10, 2026) unanimously adopted a resolution for Tamil Thai Vazhthu to be mandatorily sung first before the commencement of programmes in all educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions in the State.

The government resolution, moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, emphasised that Tamil Thai Vazhthu was an expression of respect for the Tamil language and Tamil culture.

The resolution said the move was in accordance with the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India and aimed at preserving the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu. “Tamil is not just a language, but our life and emotion,” he added.

The resolution said Tamil was “one of the world’s ancient classical languages” and Tamil civilisation represented one of the oldest cultural traditions in the world.

Recalling the history of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, which was taken from Manonmaniam, written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891, the resolution said the government order stipulating that it should be sung first at government functions came into effect on November 23, 1970. Subsequently, the DMK government, on December 12, 2021, issued an order according recognition to it as the State song.

However, the Union Home Ministry, in a letter dated July 9, 2026, made certain observations on the rendering of the State song and directed the State government to render Vande Mataram at the beginning of State functions. This led to Vande Mataram being rendered at the beginning of the convocation at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli. The State government’s resolution accords priority to Tamil Thai Vazhthu.