Thol. Thirumavalavan Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Family, Career, Net Worth In 2025
Thol. Thirumavalavan, whom we also term as Tholkappian Thirumavalavan, is a very visible Indian political personality, social activist, and author, who did very well in the field of Dalit politics in Tamil Nadu. Born into a rural family in Anganur of Ariyalur district in 1962, he rose from very little to become a strong voice for social justice and equality. In 2025, he will be 62, which is when he will have been the President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) for 4 years, a regional party that advocates for the betterment of marginalized communities.
Early Life and Education
Thirumavalavan’s birth was to Tholkappian and Periyammal. From a very young age, he showed great interest in academics and social issues. He did his BSc in Chemistry, which was followed by a postgraduate degree in Criminology, and also obtained an LLB from Madras Law College. His strong academic base, which served as the platform for his analytical thought and his insight into law, society, and justice. Before going into full-time politics, he worked as a Scientific Officer in the Government Forensic Department, which he left in 1999 to enter public life.
Political Journey and Career
Thirumavalavan first came into the public eye in the early 1990s as a Dalit rights leader. In 1990, he became the head of the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), which in turn marked the start of his political career. Although he put his name forward in the 1999 and 2004 elections, it was not to be. His breakthrough came in 2009 when he won the Lok Sabha election from the Chidambaram seat, which in turn brought national attention.
In the 2014 general and 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls which we did not do so well, Thirumavalavan made a strong comeback in 2019, which saw him defeat AIADMK’s P. Chandrasekar in a very close contest. Since then, he has been a key political figure known for his passionate speeches and dedicated support to Dalit empowerment.
Author and Ideologue
Beyond the political sphere, which is what we may usually associate him with, Thirumavalavan is a well-known Tamil author and intellectual. He looks at issues of caste, religion, and social power in his writing. Also published are “Tamizhargal Hindukkala?, “Hindutuvathai Veraruppom,” and “Saadhiya Sandharpavaadha Aniyai Veezhtuvom. His body of work has also had a large-scale influence on social dialogue in Tamil Nadu.
Personal info, Physical attributes, and Net worth.
Thirumavalavan is a single man and lives a simple life. He is of height 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) and weight around 76 kg. What he is known for is his love for reading, and he is seen in traditional wear like the lungi. As of 2025, his net worth is reported to be of the order of Rs 70 lakh, which is a result of his focus on activism and not wealth.
Controversies and Legacy
Like many a public figure, Thirumavalavan has had his share of controversies, which included that of promoting caste-based tensions. He had his fair share of political fights, which, in particular, with Vanniyar leader Dr. Ramadoss, used to make the news. Though criticized by many, his supporters put forth that he did great work in putting forward the issue of Dalit rights, dignity, and representation.
In fact, Thol. Thirumavalavan is a very present and influential figure in Tamil Nadu politics, respected, debated, and in great degree impactful.