Published Aug 10, 2026 | 11:13 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 10, 2026 | 11:22 AM
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay moved the resolution in the Assembly on Monday, 10 August.
Synopsis: The resolution referred to a 9 July 2026 communication from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which made certain observations regarding the singing of the State Song. It said Tamil Nadu has consistently followed the practice of rendering ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ first at government functions and educational institutions since the 1970s, both as a long-standing tradition and in accordance with government orders.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday, 10 August, unanimously adopted a resolution mandating the singing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu first in all programmes held by educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions across the state.
Tabling the resolution, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said Tamil is one of the world’s oldest classical languages and that Tamil civilisation represents one of the most ancient cultural traditions in the world.
The resolution recalled that Tamil Thai Vazhthu, taken from Manonmaniam Sundaranar’s 1891 work Manonmaniam, has been sung at the beginning of government functions since 23 November 1970, following a government order.
It further noted that on 12 December 2021, the song was officially recognised as the State Song of Tamil Nadu, making it mandatory to be sung before the commencement of programmes in educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions.
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The resolution referred to a 9 July 2026 communication from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which made certain observations regarding the singing of the State Song.
It said Tamil Nadu has consistently followed the practice of rendering Tamil Thai Vazhthu first at government functions and educational institutions since the 1970s, both as a long-standing tradition and in accordance with government orders.
Stating that Tamil Thai Vazhthu is an expression of respect for the Tamil language and Tamil culture, the resolution said the practice is in accordance with the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
The resolution reaffirmed that to preserve Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity, Tamil Thai Vazhthu shall continue to be mandatorily sung first before the commencement of programmes held by all educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in the state.
