Chennai ∙ Kerala has been waiting for a state anthem for years. Committees and meetings have been held here and there but so far nothing has come to fruition. But across the border, Stalin’s government has decided to fight the state anthem ‘Tamil Thai Vazhth’ in Tamil Nadu, even in court.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced that ‘Tamil Thai Vazhth’ will be the state anthem from now on. Now everyone should stand up with respect while listening to this song. In other words, ‘Thai Vazhthi’ should be given the same respect in Tamil Nadu as the national anthem. Stalin’s move comes in the wake of the Madras High Court ruling that Tamil Thai greetings are just a prayer song. The governor also issued an order in this regard.
Except for those who are physically challenged, everyone should stand up respectfully for 55 seconds while singing this song. Ceremonies should begin with this song in all educational institutions, universities, government offices and public institutions in the state.
But there is a Malayalee behind this Tamil Thai song which is sung close to the heart of Tamil Nadu. It has been years since Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Kerala will also have its own state anthem. Then take a trip to the interesting and fighting history of ‘Tamil Thai Greetings’ …
‘Own’ song of Tamil Nadu
Until now, Tamil Thai Vazhthu has been a must-sing Tamil song in all official functions in Tamil Nadu, including the School Assembly. The song was composed by Manonmaniam P. Sundaram Pillai from Alappuzha. The nine song Tamil Thai Vazhthu was the introductory song of the poetic play ‘Manonmaniyam’ written by Prof. P. Sundaram Pillai who was the tutor of Maharaja Sreemoolam Thirunal.
In 1970, the Government of Tamil Nadu declared the National Anthem the patriotic and passionate lyrics. MS Viswanathan also poured a beautiful dish. Later governments changed but no one dared to change the song which was ingrained in the soul of the Tamil people. Although the national anthem was cut short at Jayalalithaa’s last swearing – in ceremony, Sundaram Pillai’s anthem was sung in its entirety.
Sundaram Pillai was Professor of Physiology at Maharaja’s College, Thiruvananthapuram (now University College), Thiruvananthapuram from 1876 for 21 years. Sundaram Pillai, who is well versed in many subjects, has proved his erudition in both Malayalam and Tamil. When the college at Thinnelveli, where he worked for three years, later became a university, the Government of Tamil Nadu renamed it Manonmaniyam Sundaranar University in his honor.
While in Tirunelveli, Sundaram Pillai wrote a beautiful 4500 line play. With that he became Manonmaniyam Sundaram Pillai for the people of Tamil Nadu. Ekamakan PS owns 90 acres of land in Peroorkada which was given to Sundaram Pillai by the king. Detained by CP Ramaswamy Iyer from Nataraja Pillai for anti-Diwan agitation.
This is a Tamil Thai greeting written by Sundaram Pillai
നീരാറും കടലുടുത്ത നിലമടന്തൈ കെഴിലൊഴുകും …
സീരാറും വദനമെന திகഴ്ഭരത കണ്ഡമിതിൽ …
Dravidanal Thirunadum in the south and the border …
തക്കസിരു പിരൈനുധലും തരിതനരും തിലകമുമേ …
Anithulakum Impamura like Athilaka Vasanai …
Etheza also gets a lot of praise
தமிழணங்கே … தமிழணங்கே …
Un sirilamai thiram viyanthu sail marantu
Congratulations … Congratulations … Congratulations …
Madras IIT ‘ear-splitting’ minister
Badminton player PV Sindhu, an Olympic medalist, was the chief guest at the latest graduation ceremony of IIT Madras. However, Tamil Thai did not sing the praises at the ceremony, even though it was an official event. There was widespread criticism of this. Various political parties have also publicly spoken out against the IIT’s stance. With this, the government intervened in the matter. Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi sent a letter to IIT.
The letter suggested that the state anthem ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ be sung at all functions of the institution, including conferences. He was also warned not to violate the protocol implemented by the state. The Minister pointed out that in Tamil Nadu, Tamil Thai greetings are sung, including at ceremonies attended by dignitaries such as the President and the Prime Minister. The letter was to Bhaskar Ramamurthy.
‘Do you want to stand up for the national anthem ..?’
Outsiders have many doubts as to whether the Tamil Thai greeting is a nationally important anthem, a state anthem, a prayer hymn or to stand up when sung. But for Tamil Nadu, that song is alive. On January 24, 2018, the then Governor of Tamil Nadu, Banwarilal Purohit, released the Tamil-Sanskrit Dictionary. Vijayendra Saraswathi did not get up when he sang Tamil Thai at a function held at the Music Academy in Chennai in the presence of Kanchi Kamakodi Peetham Dean Vijayendra Saraswathi.
As a continuation of the same controversy, we, the Tamil Party leader Kan Elango and his gang stormed the ashram to protest. The monastery manager was threatened. With this, the police registered a case. The court made some observations when the case came up for hearing in the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court.
Justice GR Swaminathan said that ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ is only a prayer song and not a national anthem and therefore everyone should not stand up while singing it. The High Court pointed out that there was no order for everyone to stand up while singing ‘Tamil Thai Vazhth’.
It is not a national anthem. But it must be respected. It is true that the audience stands up whenever Tamil Thai is sung. But the High Court said the question was whether this was the only way to show respect. The court also pointed out that when we celebrate pluralism and diversity, it is hypocritical to insist that there is only one way to show respect.
Tamil Nadu’s reply
The next day after the High Court verdict, the government directly intervened in the matter. Tamil Thai greetings were made mandatory at all government functions. In the state, ceremonies begin with the Tamil Thai greeting and end with the national anthem. The order also stated that this condition must be complied with by all. However, in some places it is customary to play the recorded song. I do not know. Strict instructions were given by order to sing directly at the ceremony. Special officers have also been deployed to check whether this is being complied with. This was followed by the Governor’s order declaring Tamil Thai as the state anthem.
MK Stalin as ‘MK’ Stalin
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is often referred to as MK Stalin by the Tamil Nadu media. From the very beginning, he used the initials ‘MK’ in the Tamil script. Stalin writes using MK Stalin means ‘Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin’. This kind of writing is now official. The government has recently issued an order requiring names and initials to be written in Tamil in all government documents, including school and college certificates.
It is suggested that names and initials should be written in Tamil in all documents such as admission forms, attendance registers and release certificates of educational institutions. The government explains that the move is aimed at instilling a love of Tamil in children at an early age. It is also suggested that children be encouraged to translate signatures into Tamil. Names and initials in all government documents should be in Tamil. The order was issued following an announcement made by the Minister in charge of Tamil Language Development, Thankam Thennarash in the Assembly.
Where did the song of Kerala go ..?
Even after 65 birthdays, Kerala still does not have a song of its own. It has been three and a half years since the Chief Minister said that Kerala needs a song of its own! It has been months since the academy announced that a final list of songs has been prepared and that it is enough to choose a song from it. But that song alone does not make it off the final list.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan raised the demand for the state anthem at a meeting of cultural activists organized at the Kerala Sahitya Akademi for the second anniversary celebrations of the previous government. Sahitya Akademi was tasked with selecting the song. The academy appointed a five-member committee. But the election stalled when so many different demands came from so many angles.
Suggestions were made by individuals and community organizations. The committee also decided not to select songs from the living. The academy explained that the election was delayed due to difficulties in getting senior members to attend meetings and so on in the Kovid context. The committee members are M Lilavati, MR Raghava Warrier, Sahitya Akademi Secretary KP Mohanan, Ezhacheri Ramachandran and MM Basheer.
English Summary: Is ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ a prayer song or Anthem? The Controversy and More
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