Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Tamil Nadu Mandates State Song First at Official Events
The state of Tamil Nadu in India has an official song called 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu'.
The government has made a new rule that this song must be sung first at official events, before any other song.
The rule applies to schools, colleges, government offices and public programmes.
Chief Minister Vijay asked the state assembly to pass a resolution to make the song mandatory, and the assembly passed it unanimously.
Vijay said the song represents Tamil pride and power and should always hold first place.
Around the same time, India's central government asked states to play another patriotic song, 'Vande Mataram', before the National Anthem.
The song comes from a play called 'Manonmaniam', written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891.
It officially became the State Song on December 12, 2021.
Vijay said the song should not become a political controversy and should instead reflect India's unity in diversity.
Now, when official events begin in Tamil Nadu, the State Song will be sung first.
The Tamil Nadu government issued a Government Order dated August 12 mandating 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' as the compulsory first song at government functions and public events.
The order follows a resolution moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and passed unanimously by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 10.
The mandate covers educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public organisations across Tamil Nadu.
The decision follows a Union Home Ministry advisory to 'strictly comply' with its January 28 directive to play Vande Mataram before the National Anthem at official events.
The song, written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar for his 1891 play 'Manonmaniam', was officially named the State Song on December 12, 2021.
- Who
- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay; the resolution was passed unanimously by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, with support from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Congress.
- What
- Made 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu', the official State Song, mandatory as the first song at government functions and official events across Tamil Nadu.
- When
- The Government Order is dated August 12, after the Assembly resolution passed on August 10; the song was officially named the State Song on December 12, 2021.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, India — at government functions, educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and public organisations.
- Why
- To show respect for Tamil language and culture and give the State Song the highest priority, upholding the state's right to place it first; the decision also follows a Union Home Ministry directive on playing Vande Mataram before the National Anthem.
Tamil Nadu Government
Union Home Ministry
Which patriotic song comes first at official events
Tamil Nadu Government
The State Song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' must be sung first at all official events; CM Vijay says giving it first place is the state's right and top priority, and that the move should reflect India's unity in diversity.
Union Home Ministry
The Union Home Ministry has asked states and Union Territories to 'strictly comply' with its January 28 directive to play Vande Mataram before the National Anthem at official events.
- State Song
- Tamil Thai Vazhthu
- Chief Minister
- C Joseph Vijay (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam)
- Government Order date
- August 12
- Assembly resolution
- Passed unanimously on August 10
- Mandate
- State Song must be sung first at all public events and government functions
- Venues covered
- Educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, public organisations
- Song origin
- Manonmaniam Sundaranar's 1891 play 'Manonmaniam'; State Song status since December 12, 2021
- Related central directive
- Union Home Ministry's January 28 directive on Vande Mataram before the National Anthem
