Tamil Nadu Mandates State Song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' at Official Events
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered that the state song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' must be sung first at all official gatherings. This directive follows a legislative resolution and addresses recent controversies regarding the order of national and state songs at events.
Key takeaways
- The Tamil Nadu government has mandated that the state song, 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu', must be sung at the beginning of all official programs.
- This directive follows a resolution passed by the Assembly and a previous directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding national songs.
- The order aims to standardize the protocol for song renditions at state events and addresses a recent controversy.
- The state song's performance must adhere to guidelines established when it was declared the official State song in 2021.
What Happened
The Tamil Nadu government issued an order on Wednesday mandating the State song, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’, be rendered first at the commencement of events. This directive applies to educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions within the state.
Background
The order originates from a resolution unanimously adopted by the Assembly on August 10, proposed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. This action was influenced by a July 9 letter from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which urged states and ministries to adhere to a January 28 directive. That directive stipulated that the National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’, should precede the National Anthem at official events.
A prior incident at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli, where ‘Vande Mataram’ was played first and ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ was sung third during a convocation, sparked controversy. The new Government Order (G.O.) also specifies that ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ must be performed following guidelines established in a 2021 G.O. that designated it as the State song.
Key Facts
- The Tamil Nadu government issued an order on Wednesday mandating the rendition of the State song ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ first at official events.
- The directive applies to educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings, and other public institutions in the state.
- The order was issued following a resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and unanimously adopted by the Assembly on August 10.
- A Union Ministry of Home Affairs letter dated July 9 requested states and Union Ministries to strictly comply with a January 28 directive regarding the playing of ‘Vande Mataram’ before the National Anthem.
- A controversy arose after ‘Vande Mataram’ was played first at a convocation at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, with ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ sung third.
- The G.O. also stated that ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ should be rendered according to guidelines from a 2021 G.O. that declared it the State song.
- Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar issued the order.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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