File pic: In this screengrab from a video posted on Aug. 7, 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay speaks during the state Legislative Assembly session, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
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The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to make the Tamil Thaai Vazhthu (the invocation to Mother Tamil) the first song to be played at official events.Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay moving the resolution said, this House emphasises that Tamil Thai Vazhthu is an expression of respect for the Tamil language and Tamil culture. Tamil is one of the world’s most ancient classical languages and Tamil civilization represents one of the oldest cultural traditions of the world.Vijay said, Tamil Thai Vazhthu taken from the play Manonmaniam, written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891, was brought into practice on November 23, 1970, through a Government Order stipulating that it should be sung first at Government functions.Subsequently, from December 12, 2021, it was officially accorded recognition as the State Song, and it was ordered that Tamil Thai Vazhthu shall be mandatorily sung before the commencement of programmes held by all Educational Institutions, Universities, Government Offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other Public Institutions in Tamil Nadu.The Ministry of Home Affairs, in its letter dated July 9, 2026, has made certain observations regarding the singing of the State Song.In Tamil Nadu, the practice of singing Tamil Thai Vazhthu first at all Government functions and in Educational Institutions has been followed since the 1970s, both as a long-standing tradition and in accordance with Government Orders.Published on August 10, 2026
