Madras High Court Clarifies Tamil Anthem, “Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ Can Be Sung First at Government Functions

Dil Bar Irshad | August 18, 2026 | 11:14 PM IST | Breaking News, Courts & Law, India | Follow on Google News

Madras High Court Clarifies Tamil Anthem, “Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ Can Be Sung First at Government Functions

CHENNAI, August 18, 2026 [VoM News]: Tamil Nadu’s state song, “Tamil Thai Vazhthu”, may be sung first in government programs as there are no restrictions on it, stated the Madras High Court. A new notification issued by the Union Home Ministry does not mandate that it be sung after other songs.

This clarity was given during the hearing of a public interest litigation. It was filed by Chennai resident Ananya Radhakrishnan, who requested guidelines that Tamil Thai Vazhthu be sung at the beginning of all government gatherings.

The Center’s attorney cited a notification from July 9 which specified the order for singing ‘Vande Mataram’ and the National Anthem. The ‘Vande Mataram’ was to come first, then the National Anthem. However, the court was informed that state anthems were not covered in the notice.

According to Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murughan, they themselves saw Tamil Thai Vazhthu played first on Independence Day. After the Tamil anthem, Vande Mataram and the National Anthem were performed.

The issue has since caused considerable political discussion in Tamil Nadu, the state that traditionally begins its government events by playing “Tamil Thai Vazhthu”. The state legislature recently passed a resolution proposing this anthem become the first to be played during all government, education and public sector events.

The High Court has yet to rule on this petition.

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.