He completed his SSLC level at Wesley Higher Secondary School in Chennai before moving into political life.
Subsequently, he was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on six consecutive occasions between 1989–2011, all from the Egmore constituency, which is reserved for candidates from the Scheduled Castes.
Ilamvazhuthi, known for his oratory skills took on the AIADMK government single-handedly as the other DMK member, party patriarch, M Karunanidhi had resigned from his membership after winning from Harbour constituency in 1991.
As a result, he was made a Deputy Speaker in the 11th Assembly between 1996-2001 and was the Minister for Information Broadcasting and Publicity between 2006–2011.
Ilamvazhuthi moved from the DMK to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party on 28 June 2013 and was appointed a Chief Executive Committee Member the next day.