The Hindu reports: Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Sunday (May 10, 2026) said the new government will continue the tradition of rendition of Tamil Thai Vazhthu (invocation of Mother Tamil) and National Anthem at the beginning and end of the official functions respectively.The Minister’s statement on X came against the backdrop of rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ at first, followed by the National Anthem, and then the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, at the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led Cabinet presided over by Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The ruling TVK’s allies including CPI, CPI-M and VCK, had criticised this.Also Read: Tamil Nadu government formation LIVEMr.
Arjuna said ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ carries with it the pride of a history spanning more than a century. The Tamil Nadu government declared it as the State song with the intention to spread it across the world. The State song is played first at the beginning of the government functions in Tamil Nadu, and the National Anthem is played at the end.
Background
This has been the customary and appropriate practice. TVK-led Tamil Nadu government: full list of MinistersThe new TVK-led government has no differing opinion regarding this long-standing practice. In such a scenario, this new practice is not in keeping with Tamil Nadu’s traditions.
Key facts
- Joseph Vijay-led Cabinet presided over by Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
- The ruling TVK’s allies including CPI, CPI-M and VCK, had criticised this.Also Read: Tamil Nadu government formation LIVEMr.
- Arjuna said ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ carries with it the pride of a history spanning more than a century.
What this means
In Tamil Nadu, the rendering of Tamil Thai Vazhthu as the third song is not acceptable to the Tamil Nadu Government led by the TVK, he said. Stalin reacts to Tamil Nadu CM Vijay speech: ‘Money is there; what is required is efficient administration’“When we raised this issue with the Governor’s office, we were informed that the Governor was bound to act in accordance with a new circular issued by the Union Government. Under such unavoidable circumstances, the ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ was played as the third song.
However, this new practice will not be followed in the future, and instead, the ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ will be played at the beginning, and the National Anthem at the end of the functions, as it was earlier,” he said.'நீராரும் கடலுடுத்த...' எனத் தொடங்கும் தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்துப் பாடலுக்கு நூற்றாண்டு கடந்த வரலாற்றுப் பெருமிதம் உள்ளது. இந்தப் பாடல் 'உலகெங்கும் பரவ வேண்டும்...' என்ற இலட்சியத்தின் தொடர்ச்சியாகவே, தமிழ்நாடு அரசு மாநிலப் பாடலாக அதை அறிவித்தது. இத்தகைய பெருமைமிக்க தமிழ்த்தாய்…— Aadhav Arjuna (@AadhavArjuna) May 10, 2026Not only in Tamil Nadu, but in all States across India, the respective State song should be played at the beginning of official functions, and the Union Government must take appropriate steps in this regard.
Originally reported by The Hindu. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
