Tamil Thai Vazhthu vs Vande Mataram: What is the official protocol?
The Madras High Court has revised its Independence Day programme to include Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Invocation to Mother Tamil) at the beginning of the celebrations, after the Madurai Bench Bar Association raised concerns about its omission from an earlier circular. This development comes days after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution making Tamil Thai Vazhthu the first song at State functions, followed by a government order to that effect. The sequence of songs at official events has become a matter of debate, drawing attention to the protocol governing the State Song, Vande Mataram, and Jana Gana Mana.
The central question is about the order in which Tamil Thai Vazhthu, Vande Mataram, and Jana Gana Mana should be rendered at official functions. Tamil Thai Vazhthu was formally declared Tamil Nadu’s State Song in December 2021, though it had traditionally been sung at the beginning of State government functions. The issue gained prominence after the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on May 10, where Vande Mataram was rendered first, followed by Jana Gana Mana and then Tamil Thai Vazhthu. This sequence differed from the established practice in Tamil Nadu and triggered a debate. The issue resurfaced at the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University convocation in July, where Tamil Thai Vazhthu was again placed after Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.
On August 10, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously resolved that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be rendered first at functions organised by government departments, educational institutions, universities, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions. The State government followed this with a Government Order on August 12, which also said that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be rendered in accordance with guidelines issued in another Government Order in 2021, when it was declared the State song. The Madras High Court’s Independence Day programme became the latest point of contention when its original circular omitted Tamil Thai Vazhthu. After the Bar objected, the Registry revised the circular to include the State Song at the beginning of the celebrations.
Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry’s July 9 communication lays down the protocol for the national song and national anthem. It specifies that when Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are both rendered, Vande Mataram comes first, followed by Jana Gana Mana. The communication also deals with occasions when a State song is rendered along with the national song and national anthem. However, it does not prescribe that a State song must be placed after Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana. The Centre subsequently told the Madras High Court that it had not issued any direction prescribing that a State song should be placed last. The July communication instead establishes the sequence between Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana, while also providing for a State song when one is rendered at the same function.
Tamil Nadu’s position is that Tamil Thai Vazhthu should be the opening song at functions covered by the State’s protocol. The State formally declared it the State song in December 2021. The government order issued at the time also required people present at official functions to stand while it was rendered, with an exemption for persons with disabilities. The August 10 Assembly resolution reaffirmed the practice of rendering Tamil Thai Vazhthu first at functions organised by government departments, educational institutions, universities, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions. The Government Order issued on August 12 gives administrative effect to this decision, directing that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be rendered at the beginning of functions covered by the order.
The controversy highlights the need for clarity in the protocol for rendering songs at official functions. While the Centre has specified the order for the national song and national anthem, it has not mandated a position for State songs. Tamil Nadu has asserted its own protocol, placing Tamil Thai Vazhthu first. The Madras High Court’s revised circular reflects this State directive. As the matter continues to be discussed, the key takeaway is that the existing guidelines provide room for States to decide the placement of their State songs, as long as the national song and national anthem are rendered in the prescribed sequence.
