The Madras High Court administration on Friday (August 14, 2026) issued a revised circular clarifying that the State song Tamil Thai Vazhthu, national song Vande Mataram, and the national anthem should be played/sung during the Independence Day celebrations at its principal seat in Chennai, the Madurai Bench, and all district judicial units, both in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday (August 15, 2026).
The revision came after a section of the Bar members expressed concerns over a circular issued on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) not having made any mention about the playing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu and restricting itself to the playing of the national song and the national anthem alone in view of an advisory issued by the Centre under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026’ to commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram.
The initial circular issued by the Madras High Court. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The revised circular. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Listing the sequence in which the anthem and songs must be played, the previous circular had stated the national song must be played first, followed by the hoisting of the national flag, and then the playing/singing of the national anthem.
However, the revised circular clarified that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu would be played first followed by the national song before the hoisting of the national flag.
The absence of any mention about the playing/singing of the State song Tamil Thai Vazhthu in the August 11 circular had become a cause for concern among a section of the legal fraternity.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court Bar Association (MMBA) had written to the Registrar General on Thursday (August 13, 2026), expressing its concerns.
Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution for ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ to be sung first at events “It is a long-standing convention that in all the programmes conducted by the honourable High Court, the function will start by playing/singing the Tamil Thai Vazhthu,” the association said.
It highlighted a Government Order issued on August 12, 2026, making it mandatory to sing/play the State song during specific events.
‘Not merely a song’ “Tamil Thai Vazhthu is not merely a song but an enduring symbol of Tamil identity, language, culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu.
The Madras High Court, being one of the foremost constitutional institutions of Tamil Nadu, has a special responsibility to uphold the dignity of the State, its Constitutional values and its rich linguistic and cultural heritage...
Therefore, we request you to include the State song in the events of Independence Day celebrations,” the communication sent by MMBA general secretary P.
Jessi Jeeva Priya read.
