Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Tamil Nadu requires Tamil Thaai Vazhthu first at official events
The government of Tamil Nadu, a state in India, made a new rule about its special state song.
The song is called Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, and it praises the Tamil language and the state of Tamil Nadu.
From now on, this song must be played first at every official event, like school functions and government meetings.
It has to be sung before the other activities of the event begin.
Everyone who is present must stand up while the song plays, to show respect.
People with disabilities are allowed to stay seated.
The rule came after all the leaders in the Tamil Nadu Assembly voted together to support it.
The song is very old; it was written by a poet named Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891.
The government wants everyone to honour the song properly and remove any confusion about when it should be played.
The Tamil Nadu government ordered that Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, the official State song, be rendered first at all government, public and educational functions.
Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar's order requires everyone present to stand during the song, with persons with disabilities exempted.
The directive follows a resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and passed unanimously by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 10.
The resolution reaffirmed Tamil's status as an ancient classical language, with Tamil civilisation described as one of the world's oldest cultural traditions.
Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, drawn from Manonmaniam Sundaranar's 1891 play 'Manonmaniam', was formally recognised as the official State song on December 17, 2021.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, with the order issued by Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar.
- What
- A government order requiring Tamil Thaai Vazhthu, the official State song, to be rendered first at all official events, with everyone present asked to stand.
- When
- The Assembly resolution was passed on August 10; the order followed a Union Home Ministry communication dated July 9, 2026.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, India.
- Why
- To reaffirm the cultural and historical importance of the Tamil language and ensure due respect for the State song at public functions.
- Official State Song
- Tamil Thaai Vazhthu
- Order issued by
- Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar
- Chief Minister
- C. Joseph Vijay
- Assembly resolution date
- August 10
- Song source
- 'Manonmaniam' play (1891) by Manonmaniam Sundaranar
- First order on singing practice
- November 23, 1970
- Formal recognition as State song
- December 17, 2021
- Union Home Ministry communication
- July 9, 2026