Chennai
oi-Prakash KL
The Madras High Court Registrar General on Friday issued a circular asking the Madurai Bench and the district judiciary to begin the Independence Day celebrations with the singing of Vande Mataram, followed by flag hoisting and the recital of the National Anthem.
The circular released by the Madras High Court states, “It is hereby informed that on the Advisory issued by the Government of India under Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026, commemorating 150 years of the National Song “Vande Mataram”, the Independence Day Celebrations organized by the Madras High Court at the Principal Seat in Chennai, Bench in Madurai, Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy in Chennai, Regional Centre at Madurai and Coimbatore, District Judiciary Units and Union Territory at Puducherry will include the singing/playing of the National Song “Vande Mataram”.
The Madras High Court mandated singing ‘Vande Mataram’ first during Independence Day celebrations, preceding the National Anthem, while the Tamil Nadu Government ordered the state song ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ to be sung first at all official functions.
The sequence of events is playing of National Song “Vande Mataram”, hoisting of the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem.”
The development comes days after the Tamil Nadu Government, led by Chief Minister Vijay, issued an order mandating that “Tamil Thai Vaazhthu” be sung first at all state government functions.
The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order mandating the singing of the official state song – Tamil Thaai Vazhthu – first in the sequence of songs to be rendered at all official events.
As per the order, the state song be performed at the outset of all government, educational and public events. The order also requires attendees to stand during its rendition, with an exemption for persons with disabilities.
The directive was issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar on August 12, two days after the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the matter.
The government order cites the resolution moved by Chief Minister Vijay, which highlights Tamil’s status as an ancient classical language and describes Tamil civilisation as one of the world’s oldest cultural traditions.
‘Tamil Thaai Vazhthu’ is derived from Manonmaniam, a play written by Manonmaniam Sundaranar in 1891. The song has traditionally been performed at government functions since November 23, 1970. Following its formal designation as Tamil Nadu’s state song on December 17, 2021, the government has mandated that it be sung before the commencement of official programmes.
The latest resolution was also passed against the backdrop of a July 9, 2026 communication from the Union Home Ministry concerning the rendition of the state anthem.
