Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Madras High Court Affirms Tamil Anthem Can Precede National Anthem
Tamil Nadu has a special song called Tamil Thai Vazhthu.
It celebrates the Tamil language, Tamil Nadu, and the region’s culture.
A court said this song can be sung before India’s National Anthem at government events.
The court said a Union Home Ministry circular does not prevent this order.
The Madras High Court itself follows this sequence on Independence Day.
The song was written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar, who was also called P. Sundaram Pillai.
Tamil Nadu made it the state song in 1970.
People generally stand while it is performed to show respect.
The Madras High Court said Tamil Thai Vazhthu may be performed before the National Anthem at Tamil Nadu government events.
The clarification came during a public interest litigation filed by Chennai resident Ananya Radhakrishnan.
The court noted that its Independence Day observance followed this order: Tamil Thai Vazhthu, Vande Mataram, then the National Anthem.
Written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar, also known as P. Sundaram Pillai, the composition first appeared in his 1891 play Manonmaniam.
Tamil Nadu formally adopted Tamil Thai Vazhthu as its state song in 1970 and prescribed it for official and public events.
- Who
- The Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murughan, addressed a petition by Ananya Radhakrishnan.
- What
- The court clarified that Tamil Thai Vazhthu can be performed before the National Anthem at Tamil Nadu government events.
- When
- The clarification was made during the hearing of the public interest litigation; the article does not provide the hearing date.
- Where
- At government and public events in Tamil Nadu, with the court’s example referring to its Independence Day observance.
- Why
- Radhakrishnan sought directions for Tamil Nadu government events to begin with Tamil Thai Vazhthu, amid questions about a Union Home Ministry circular.
- State song
- Tamil Thai Vazhthu
- Court clarification
- There is no restriction on performing Tamil Thai Vazhthu before the National Anthem.
- Observed sequence
- Tamil Thai Vazhthu, followed by Vande Mataram and the National Anthem.
- Author
- Manonmaniam Sundaranar, also known as P. Sundaram Pillai.
- Original work
- The opening portion of the 1891 Tamil play Manonmaniam.
- State adoption
- Tamil Nadu formally adopted the song in 1970.