Chennai, August 10: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution mandating the rendition of Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, the state song of Tamil Nadu, at the commencement of government events across the state. The resolution was introduced by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, whose Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government said it would not compromise on Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and cultural rights.
The resolution received support from legislators across party lines, including the DMK and AIADMK, leading to its unanimous adoption in the Assembly.
Speaking during the debate, Vijay described Tamil as more than just a language, calling it “our life and emotions.” He said that a mother tongue is “as pure as our mother” and that according it the highest respect is a matter of state rights and cultural identity.
“Tamil is not only a language but also our life and emotions. The mother tongue is as pure as our mother, and giving it the first place is a matter of state rights,” the Chief Minister said in an emotional address.
Tamil Thaai Vazhthu to be mandatory
Under the new resolution, Tamil Thaai Vazhthu will be sung at the beginning of programmes conducted by educational institutions, universities, government offices, and public sector undertakings throughout Tamil Nadu.
The move reinforces the state government’s long-standing emphasis on promoting Tamil language and culture in official functions.
Historical background
Tamil Nadu has a decades-old tradition of beginning official events with Tamil Thaai Vazhthu. A government order issued on November 23, 1970, directed that the state song be rendered at the start of official functions.
Later, on December 12, 2021, the Tamil Nadu government formally recognised Tamil Thaai Vazhthu as the official state song. It was subsequently made mandatory to be rendered first in the sequence of songs played at government events.
Debate over official event protocol
The resolution comes amid a fresh advisory from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which asked states and Union Territories to strictly comply with its January 28 directive recommending that the National Song, Vande Mataram, be played before the National Anthem at official events.
The Tamil Nadu government’s resolution is being viewed as a reaffirmation of the state’s position on giving Tamil Thaai Vazhthu the first place in official functions, reflecting its emphasis on linguistic and cultural identity.
Political significance
The unanimous support extended by both the DMK and AIADMK is significant, as it indicates a broad political consensus on issues related to Tamil language and cultural heritage. The resolution highlights the continuing importance of language rights, state autonomy, and regional identity in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
With the Assembly’s approval, the rendition of Tamil Thaai Vazhthu at the commencement of official events will now be implemented across government institutions and state-run establishments, further strengthening the symbolic role of the Tamil language in public life.