Tradition of singing Tamil Thaai Vazhthu at beginning, National Anthem at end will continue, says Minister Aadhav Arjuna

Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Sunday, May 10, 2026, said that the new government will continue the tradition of reciting Tamil Tay Vazhthu (Mother Tamil’s prayer) and the National Anthem at the beginning and end of official duties respectively.

The Minister’s statement on The ruling TVK’s allies such as CPI, CPI-M and VCK had criticized this.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu government formation LIVE

Mr. Arjuna said that ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ takes pride in having a history of more than a century. The Tamil Nadu government declared it as the State song with the intention of taking it across the world. In Tamil Nadu, at the beginning of government functions, the State song is played first and the National Anthem is played at the end. This is a traditional and appropriate practice.

The new government led by TVK has no different opinion on this long-standing practice. In such a scenario, this new practice is not compatible with the traditions of Tamil Nadu. He said that the interpretation of Tamil Thai Vazhthu as the third song in Tamil Nadu was not acceptable to the TVK-led Tamil Nadu Government.

“When we raised this issue with the Governor’s Office, we were informed that the Governor had to act in accordance with a new circular issued by the Union Government. Under these unavoidable circumstances, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ was played as the third song. However, in future, this new practice will not be followed and instead ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ will be played at the beginning of the ceremonies as before and the National Anthem will be played at the end, as before,” he said.

Not only in Tamil Nadu but in all States across India, the relevant State song should be played at the beginning of official functions and the Union Government should take appropriate steps in this regard. He added that this was the collective feeling and unanimous opinion of the people of Tamil Nadu.