R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, AUG 10
In a rare moment when political lines gave way to linguistic pride, the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously gave Tamil Thai Vazhthu pride of place—mandating that the State Song be rendered first at official functions across the State. The resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was adopted unanimously, with legislators across party lines extending their support.
The decision formally reinforces the place of Tamil Thai Vazhthu as the opening song at programmes organised by government departments, educational institutions, universities, public sector undertakings and other State-run or government-related organisations.
- Historic resolution makes Tamil Nadu’s State Song the opening salutation at government and State-run functions
- Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay thanks all parties for setting aside political differences to uphold Tamil identity
- Mandate covers government departments, educational institutions, universities, PSUs and other government-linked organisations
- Vijay calls Tamil not merely a language but a “thought, culture and civilisation”
- Move seeks to reinforce the antiquity, uniqueness, pride and distinct character of Tamil and its cultural consciousness
The Chief Minister subsequently thanked all political parties for their unanimous support and described the Assembly’s decision as a historic tribute to Tamil and Tamil identity.
‘Tamil is thought, culture and civilisation’
In a post on his official X account, Vijay said:
தமிழ் ஒரு மொழி மட்டுமன்று, அது ஒரு சிந்தனை-பண்பாடு-நாகரீகம்-அதோடு தமிழ் நம் உயிர்; தமிழ் நம் உணர்வு என்பதை முழுமையாக உணர்ந்ததே நமது தமிழ்நாடு அரசு.
மேலும், தமிழ் மொழியின் தொன்மை, தனித்தன்மை, பெருமை, சிறப்பு மற்றும் தமிழர்களின் உணர்வைப் போற்றிப் பாதுகாக்கும் வகையிலான இந்த…
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) August 10, 2026
“Recognising fully that Tamil is not merely a language but a thought, culture and civilisation, and that Tamil is our life and consciousness, the Tamil Nadu government has adopted this historic resolution.”
He said the resolution reflected the government’s commitment to respecting and safeguarding the antiquity, uniqueness, pride and distinct character of Tamil, besides preserving the cultural consciousness of the Tamil people.
Calling the resolution a “lofty tribute to Tamil Thai,” Vijay said the day on which it was passed would remain permanently etched in Tamil Nadu’s history.
“I convey my heartfelt thanks to all parties for unanimously supporting and passing this resolution. May the glory of Tamil Thai rise across the world. May Tamil Nadu’s journey of victory continue,” Chief Minister said.
From tradition to a formal state-wide mandate
The resolution seeks to make the rendition of Tamil Thai Vazhthu the first item at programmes conducted by government departments, educational institutions, universities, public sector undertakings and other government-related organisations.
The move assumes significance against the backdrop of a recent political debate in Tamil Nadu over the sequencing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu and other patriotic songs at official functions.
The Assembly’s unanimous endorsement gives the State’s established practice a fresh statutory-policy dimension and places the State Song at the opening of official programmes.
A song that became the voice of Tamil identity
Tamil Thai Vazhthu is drawn from “Neerarum Kadaludutha”, the opening verse of Manonmaniam, written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar.
The Tamil Nadu Government had earlier declared the composition as the State Song and mandated its appropriate rendition at the beginning of events in educational institutions, universities, government offices and public institutions.
The latest resolution seeks to reinforce that convention across the State and provide a clear protocol for official programmes.
Unanimity overrides political divides
The unanimous passage of the resolution assumes added significance because legislators across the political spectrum backed the move. Reports said members belonging to parties, including the DMK, AIADMK, Congress, PMK, VCK, CPI, BJP and Indian Union Muslim League supported it.
For Vijay, the consensus demonstrated that political differences could be set aside when the question concerned Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and cultural identity.
The resolution thus goes beyond the protocol governing the opening of official events: it seeks to place language, heritage and cultural consciousness at the centre of the State’s public life.
A new first note for Tamil Nadu
The Assembly’s decision gives a powerful new dimension to the opening moments of government and State-run functions.
With Tamil Thai Vazhthu mandated to be sung first, the State has sought to make the beginning of its official gatherings resonate with its linguistic heritage before the proceedings move into their formal agenda.
The message from the Assembly is unmistakable: Tamil Thai Vazhthu is not merely a ceremonial song; it is being positioned as an enduring expression of Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and cultural identity.
