Tamil Nadu Issues Order Mandating Tamil Thai Vazhthu First at State Events

The Tamil Nadu government has issued a Government Order mandating that the Tamil anthem, 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu,' must be sung as the first item on the agenda at all government functions and events in educational institutions. The order, issued on August 12 in Chennai, puts an end to controversies surrounding the placement of the song during official gatherings.

The directive follows a resolution moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, which was passed unanimously in the Assembly on August 10. The resolution established the requirement for the anthem to precede all other songs at public occasions.

According to the Government Order, the song 'Neerarum Kadaludutha,' written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar, embodies respect for the Tamil language and culture. The order directs that it must be compulsorily rendered as the initial item before the start of all public events and official state programs.