In a significant legislative move, the Tamil Nadu Assembly has officially passed a resolution making the state anthem, Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the mandatory first song to be performed at the commencement of all government programs, while the resolution was introduced by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who emphasized the cultural and emotional importance of the Tamil language to the people of the state, while this decision is being viewed as a direct challenge to the Central Government's directive, which suggests playing the national song, Vande Mataram, at the beginning of such events. By passing this resolution, the Tamil Nadu government has asserted that the state anthem must hold the highest priority in the sequence of opening songs during official functions.
Unanimous Political Support and Legislative Process
The resolution moved by Chief Minister Vijay saw a rare moment of political unity in the assembly. Both the major opposition parties, the DMK and the AIADMK, extended their full support to the proposal. The consensus among the political factions highlighted the shared sentiment regarding the preservation and promotion of Tamil identity, while following the discussion, Speaker JCD Prabhakar formally announced that the resolution had been passed unanimously. He further clarified that the implementation of this resolution doesn't require any additional approvals, making it effective immediately for all state-governed activities and institutions.
CM Vijay on the Emotional Significance of Tamil
Following the passage of the resolution, Chief Minister Vijay expressed his thoughts through a detailed post on the social media platform X. He stated that Tamil isn't merely a language but represents a thought process, a culture, and a civilization. He remarked that the Tamil Nadu government fully recognizes that Tamil is the life and emotion of its people. The Chief Minister described the resolution as a historic tribute to Mother Tamil, aimed at protecting the antiquity, uniqueness, pride, and excellence of the language. He noted that the day the resolution was passed would be remembered as a landmark day in the history of Tamil Nadu. He also extended his gratitude to all political parties for their unanimous support, wishing for the fame of Mother Tamil to resonate globally and for the progress of Tamil Nadu to continue unabated.
The Historical Context of Tamil Thai Vazhthu
The resolution also delved into the rich history of the state anthem. It noted that Tamil is one of the oldest classical languages in the world, and the Tamil civilization represents one of the most ancient cultural traditions. The history of Tamil Thai Vazhthu dates back to 1891, when it was written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar as part of the play titled Manonmaniam. The song has long been a symbol of Tamil identity, while the resolution recalled previous administrative steps, including a government order issued on 23 November 1970, which directed that the song be sung at the start of government programs. Later, on 12 December 2021, Tamil Thai Vazhthu was officially accorded the status of the state anthem. This status made it mandatory for the song to be performed before programs in educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions across Tamil Nadu.
Commitment to State Rights and Cultural Pride
During his address in the assembly, CM Vijay reiterated that giving the first place to Tamil Thai Vazhthu is a matter of state right. He defined Tamil as a symbol of pride and power, stating that the mere mention of the word Tamil unites the entire state. He urged all legislators to set aside their political differences to protect the dignity of the state anthem. He emphasized that the TVK government wouldn't compromise on the honor of the state song. The resolution reinforces the mandate that in any government-organized event, the sequence of songs must begin with the state anthem, ensuring that the linguistic heritage of the region is given the foremost respect.