Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously backs resolution mandating state song at official functions
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a government resolution making the rendition of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state song, mandatory at the beginning of official programmes across the state.
Moving the resolution, Chief Minister C. Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam said his government would not compromise on the state's linguistic and cultural rights. He urged legislators from all parties to support the measure, setting aside political differences.
"Our mother tongue is as pure as our mother," Vijay said in his address to the House. "Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions. Tamil means pride, Tamil means power. The moment you say 'Tamil', the entire Tamil Nadu will come together and stand as one."
The resolution stipulates that Tamil Thai Vazhthu will be sung first at programmes held by educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in Tamil Nadu. It describes the song as an expression of respect for Tamil language and culture and links its mandatory rendition to the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
The resolution received support from both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), with legislators from both parties backing the government's move. The House adopted the resolution unanimously, according to officials present.
The development comes amid a recent advisory from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs asking states and Union territories to comply with its January 28 directive on playing Vande Mataram before the National Anthem at official events. It also follows a July 9 communication from the ministry regarding the singing of state songs at official programmes.
State ministers have not commented on whether the resolution is a response to these advisories. The Chief Minister said that prioritising the state song should not become a political debate. "Saying that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be sung first does not need to become a political debate," Vijay said, appealing to members across party lines.
The resolution notes that Tamil is one of the world's oldest classical languages and describes Tamil civilisation as one of the world's oldest cultural traditions. It also underscores the importance of preserving the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu had first directed that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung at the beginning of official functions through a government order issued on November 23, 1970. The state government formally accorded the song the status of the state song on December 12, 2021, making its rendition mandatory at official programmes and institutions across the state. Monday's resolution reaffirms that decision in the form of a legislative mandate.
Tamil Thai Vazhthu is an invocation to Mother Tamil from Manonmaniam, a play written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891. The song is a traditional prayer that pays homage to the Tamil language and its cultural heritage, and it has been a part of the state's official ceremonies for decades.
