Chennai, August 10
The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a special resolution moved by Chief Minister Vijay affirming that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be sung first at functions organised by government departments, educational institutions and other State-run bodies.
The resolution received support from parties across the political spectrum, including the DMK, AIADMK, Congress, PMK, VCK, CPI, BJP and Indian Union Muslim League. Speaker J C D Prabhakar declared the resolution unanimously adopted after representatives of the parties spoke in its favour.
Moving the resolution, Vijay said Tamil was inseparable from the identity, culture and emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu and that ensuring precedence for Tamil Thai Vazhthu at official events was essential to protecting the State’s cultural traditions.
The Chief Minister recalled that the song, taken from Manonmaniam written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar, had been sung at the beginning of government functions since an order was issued in 1970. Tamil Thai Vazhthu was formally accorded the status of Tamil Nadu’s State song in 2021.
Vijay also referred to a July 1, 2026 communication from the Union Home Ministry concerning State songs and urged legislators to approach the issue above political considerations. The status and dignity of Tamil Thai Vazhthu should not become a subject of political controversy, he said.
Supporting the resolution, DMK MLA Govi Chezhian recalled that former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi introduced the practice of singing Tamil Thai Vazhthu at official functions. He also noted that M K Stalin’s government made its rendition mandatory through an order issued on December 17, 2021.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami backed the resolution, describing Tamil Thai Vazhthu as an expression of Tamil language, culture and identity. He said pride in Tamil and patriotism were complementary.
The unanimous resolution reaffirmed the primacy of Tamil Thai Vazhthu at State government and educational functions.
