TVK Govt to Table Assembly Resolution on Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu Priority

The TVK government is set to table a resolution in the Tamil Nadu state assembly in Chennai on Monday to ensure that the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu is rendered as the first item at all government functions and events across educational institutions in the state. According to the agenda of the assembly proceedings for Monday, the resolution will be tabled by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Under the terms of the resolution, the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu is required to be sung before the commencement of all functions organized by educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions throughout the state.

The resolution cites the history of the song, recalling that the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was taken from the prologue of 'Manonmaniam,' written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891. The song has been sung at government functions since November 23, 1970, following a government order issued at the time.

It was subsequently accorded official status as the state song on December 12, 2021. Following that official recognition, a government order was issued directing that it be sung ahead of all events conducted in educational institutions, universities, government offices, and public sector undertakings.

The resolution notes that the current action comes in the backdrop of a Union home ministry order issued on July 9 regarding the singing of the state song. While the text of the assembly resolution does not elaborate on the exact contents of the home ministry's directive, the central order stated that Vande Mataram should be sung first, followed by the National Anthem, which effectively moved the state song to the third slot.