Tamil Thai Valthu (Tamil Nadu)
| English: Invocation to Tamil Mother | |
|---|---|
State song of Tamil Nadu | |
| Lyrics | Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai |
| Music | M. S. Viswanathan |
| Adopted | 17 December 2021 |
"Tamil Thai Valthu" (Tamil: Tamiḻttāy Vāḻttu, lit. 'Invocation to Tamil Mother'; Tamil pronunciation: [t̪ʌmɪ˞ɻt̪ːɑːɪ̯ ʋɑ˞ːɻt̪ːɨ]) is the state song of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The original song was written by Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai (1855-1897), as an invocation to Tamil Thai (Tamil Mother) in the prelude to the play Manonmaniam in 1891.[1] A rendition of the song was later composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and sung by T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela.[2][3]
On 11 March 1970, based on a request from the Karanthai Tamil Sangam, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi announced that verses of the song would be recited as Tamil Thai Valthu at the beginning of state government functions. The official order for the same was issued later on 23 November 1970.[1][4] On 17 December 2021, the Government of Tamil Nadu formally declared it as the official state song, and mandated that every able person should stand when it is played or being sung.[5][6]
Lyrics
Official version
| Tamil script[7] | Romanisation[8] | English translation[9] |
|---|---|---|
நீராருங் கடலுடுத்த நிலமடந்தைக் கெழிலொழுகும் |
nīrāruṅ kaṭaluṭutta nilamaṭantaik keḻiloḻukum |
Brimming sea drapes exuberant maiden of land! |
Full version
| Tamil script[10] | Tamil Romanisation | English translation |
|---|---|---|
நீராருங் கடலுடுத்த நிலமடந்தைக் கெழிலொழுகும் |
nīrāruṅ kaṭaluṭutta nilamaṭantaik keḻiloḻukum |
Brimming Sea drapes exuberant maiden of land! |
See also
- List of Indian state songs
- Jana Gana Mana – National anthem of India
- Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry) – State song of Puducherry, India
- Vande Mataram – National song of India
References
- ^ a b "The creator of the Tamil Anthem". The Hindu. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "MSV composed music for Tamil Thai Vazhththu". One India (in Tamil). 14 July 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ Kolappan, B. (14 July 2015). "Veteran musician M.S. Viswanathan passes away". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu declares 'Tamil Thaai Vazhthu' as state song". The New Indian Express. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "DMK Government declares Tamil Thai Vaazhthu the State song". The Hindu. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' Declared State Anthem, Mandatory to Stand During Song". NDTV. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Tamil Thai Valthu" (PDF). Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "Tamil Thai Valthu" (PDF). Semmozhi Tamil. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "Tamil Thai Valthu-Invocation to Tamil Mother". Lyrics Translate. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "Tamil Thai Valthu". Pothunalam. Retrieved 1 June 2025.