Tamil Nadu – Assembly to reaffirm mandatory singing of State Song at public programmes
Tamil Nadu – The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is set to consider a resolution reaffirming the mandatory singing of “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” before programmes conducted by educational institutions, government offices and other public institutions across the state.
The resolution places the State Song within the broader cultural and historical importance of the Tamil language. It notes that Tamil is recognised as one of the world’s oldest classical languages and that Tamil civilisation has a long-standing cultural heritage.
State Song has a long official history
“ Tamil Thai Vazhthu” is an invocation to Mother Tamil from “Manonmaniam”, the 1891 play written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar. According to the resolution, the song was first brought into official practice through a government order issued on November 23, 1970.
That order directed that the song be sung at the beginning of government functions. The practice later received a more formal status when the Tamil Nadu government officially declared “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” the State Song on December 12, 2021.
Mandatory singing covers public institutions
Following the 2021 decision, the government ordered that the State Song be sung before programmes organised by educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in Tamil Nadu.
The proposed Assembly resolution seeks to reaffirm that requirement. It states that the song should be performed first, before the commencement of programmes conducted by institutions covered by the government directive.
The move comes against the backdrop of observations made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in a letter dated July 9 concerning the singing of the State Song.
Resolution cites constitutional protections
The resolution describes “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” as an expression of respect for the Tamil language and Tamil culture. It also refers to the linguistic and cultural rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
According to the resolution, retaining the mandatory practice is intended to protect and preserve Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity while respecting the state’s linguistic heritage.
The Assembly is therefore expected to reaffirm that the State Song must continue to be sung before programmes held by educational institutions, universities, government departments and offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions throughout Tamil Nadu.
Assembly seeks to reaffirm existing practice
The resolution states that the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously resolves that “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” shall continue to be sung first before such programmes begin.
The measure presents the song not simply as a ceremonial practice but as a formal expression of respect for Tamil language and culture. It also links the continuation of the practice to the constitutional recognition of linguistic and cultural rights.
With the resolution, the state government is seeking a clear reaffirmation from the legislature that the existing requirement should remain in place across public institutions in Tamil Nadu.