Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 10 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday hailed the passing of a resolution mandating the singing of the State Song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' before programmes organised by educational institutions, government offices and other public institutions across the state.
Reacting to the passage of the resolution, Vijay said the move reflected the importance of Tamil language, culture and civilisation and thanked political parties for extending unanimous support to it.
"Tamil is not merely a language; it is a thought-culture-civilisation, and moreover, Tamil is our life; Tamil is our emotion--this is what our Tamil Nadu government has fully realised," Vijay said in a post on X.
"Furthermore, this historic resolution, which upholds and safeguards the antiquity, uniqueness, pride, excellence, and the sentiments of the Tamil people toward the Tamil language, stands as the highest tribute offered to Mother Tamil. This day, on which this resolution has been passed, will endure forever in the history of Tamil Nadu," he added.
The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to all political parties for supporting the resolution stating, "I express my heartfelt gratitude to all political parties for unanimously supporting and passing this resolution. May the fame of Mother Tamil resound across the world! May the victorious journey of Tamil Nadu continue!"
https://x.com/CMOTamilnadu/status/2086745353290965207
The resolution was supported by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Congress in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Moving the resolution, Vijay said 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' must receive the highest priority in the state.
"Tamil means pride, Tamil means power. The moment you say 'Tamil', the entire Tamil Nadu will come together and stand as one. Tamil Thai Vazhthu must hold the first place in Tamil Nadu. Giving first place to Tamil Thai Vazhthu is our state right," he said.
He urged all legislators to set aside political differences and support the resolution, stressing that the TVK government would not compromise on protecting the dignity of the State Song.
The resolution notes that Tamil is one of the world's oldest classical languages and that Tamil civilisation represents one of the world's oldest cultural traditions.
It also traces the history of 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' to Manonmaniam, a 1891 play written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar. A government order issued on November 23, 1970, directed that the song be sung first at government functions.
On December 12, 2021, 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' was officially accorded the status of State Song, with its singing made mandatory before programmes at educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in Tamil Nadu.
The resolution comes amid observations made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in a July 9 letter regarding the singing of the State Song.