Vijay Also Writes To PM On Tamil Anthem

Apart from raising the issue with Modi during his meeting at this office, Vijay also wrote a letter, saying that the clarification would harmonise the Home Ministry’s order with the established practice prevailing in Tamil Nadu and avoid administrative ambiguity, while duly respecting the cultural sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Affirming that the Government and people of Tamil Nadu held the National Anthem and the National Song in the highest esteem, he said Tamil Nadu had consistently upheld the dignity and decorum associated with all national symbols and remained deeply committed to the unity, integrity and constitutional values of India.

Drawing Modi’s attention to the long-established position of Tamil Thai Vazhthu in the public life of the State, he said Tamil Thai Vazhthu written by Manonmaniam P.Sundaram Pillai in 1891 was an invocation to the Tamil language, culture and heritage. For several decades, it had traditionally been rendered at the commencement of Government, educational, cultural and public functions across Tamil Nadu.

The practice had been formally recognised by the State Government by declaring Tamil Thai Vazhthu as the State Song and prescribing its singing the beginning of functions in Government offices, educational institutions, universities, public sector undertakings and public organisations, he said

Following the Home Ministry order, Lok Bhavan has adopted the sequence of Vande Mataram, National Anthem and thereafter Tamil Thai Vazhthu and the placement of Tamil Thai Vazhthu subsequent to the National Anthem has led to widespread public concern and opposition from various sections of society as it departed from the long-standing and officially recognised practice.

Though the Home Ministry letter did not bar the singing of the State Song at the beginning of the functions, in recent functions held at Lok Bhavan, Tamil Thai Vazhthu was sung at the end, he said.