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Snake Shyam (Bigg Boss) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1967

Age56

BirthplaceCheluvaamba Hospital, Krishnarajanagara, Mysore State, India

ProfessionSnake Enthusiast; Lecturer; Former Counsellor at Mysore City Corporation; Wildlife Conservationist

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSatyavati

FamilySon - Surya Keerthi; Father - M.R.Subbarao; Mother - A.Nagalakshmi Mirle; Caste - Brahmin

Snake Shyam (Bigg Boss) Biography

Snake Shyam, born M. S. Balasubramania, is a Mysore-based snake rescuer, wildlife conservationist and public figure known for decades of snake-handling, on

Early life and background

M. S. Balasubramania, widely known as Snake Shyam or simply Shyam, was born in 1967 at Cheluvaamba Hospital in Krishnarajanagara, Mysore State, India. He grew up in Mysore and came from a modest background. From a young age he showed an unusual affinity for snakes; his first recorded rescue occurred when he was 23, after he and a girl found a snake hiding under a stone and he intervened to free it.

Before becoming publicly identified with snake rescue work, Shyam spent many years driving an auto-rickshaw, a job he did for about 25 years and which included helping children get to school. That period preceded his full emergence as a local snake rescuer and conservation advocate.

Career

Shyam built a grassroots reputation by responding to calls from neighbours and the community to remove snakes from homes and properties. Beginning in 1982, he became a regular choice for such rescues. He developed hands-on techniques using simple tools — a pillowcase and a badminton racket without strings — to capture and release snakes safely, and he performed many rescues without payment.

Over time Shyam developed broad practical knowledge of the region’s herpetofauna and can identify roughly 28–30 local snake species. He supplemented his experience by studying the work of noted experts and by consulting with academic staff at Mysore University. Local hospitals have sought his help in identifying snake species to assist with treatment of bite victims.

Shyam has recorded his operations meticulously in a personal logbook and, by 2019, had documented handling a remarkable total of 32,000 snakes. His vans, painted with conservation messages such as "Snakes are not as poisonous as human beings" and "Care for the rare," became a visible part of his public presence.

In addition to hands-on rescues, Shyam has worked as a wildlife conservationist and has spent time educating the public on safe responses to snake encounters. He also served as a lecturer and was a counsellor at Mysore City Corporation earlier in his working life.

Public recognition and media

Shyam’s rescue work earned him formal recognition: he received the Rajyotsava Award in November 2015. The Mysore City Corporation has named a road after him, and the city dedicated its first urban forest in recognition of his and fellow environmentalists’ contributions.

His life and work have attracted media attention beyond India. He was featured in television specials and documentaries, including appearances linked to National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. In 2022 he supported the international team behind a documentary segment for the ninth season of Snake City, which focused on snakes in Mysore and included wildlife experts Simon and Siouxsie.

Shyam has also explored acting. He had a role in the 2012 film Kalaya Tasmai Namaha and appeared on the Colors Kannada television series Gandhari between 2015 and 2016.

Politics and civic life

In March 2013 Shyam was elected to the Mysore City Corporation with the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was later expelled from the party for activities described as contrary to party interests and subsequently stood as an independent candidate, without electoral success.

Public profile

Shyam is widely recognised around Mysore for his distinctive appearance: a sun hat, beads and multiple rings. Neighbours and admirers often refer to him by nicknames such as Shyam, Snake God and Snake Bite. His practical courage has come with personal costs; he was bitten by snakes several times while conducting rescues and, over the years, developed an allergy to antivenin.

He keeps up a public-facing presence through his decorated vans and by continuing educational outreach. People in Mysore have expressed gratitude in various ways after rescues, and hospitals and authorities have relied on his expertise in difficult situations.

Latest updates

In 2022 Snake Shyam assisted the production team for Snake City’s documentary segment in Mysore. In 2023 he entered the reality TV space as a contestant on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10, which aired on Colors Kannada and was hosted by Kiccha Sudeep.

In August 2023 he made an appeal to the Chief Minister of Karnataka seeking compensation for families of rescuers who died during rescue operations and requested reservation of hospital beds for snake-bite victims, citing the risks associated with rescue work.

Personal life

Shyam is married to Satyavati. The couple’s son, Surya Keerthi, is also described as a snake enthusiast. His parents are M.R. Subbarao and A. Nagalakshmi Mirle. Shyam’s caste is noted as Brahmin in public records. He is described as having dark brown eyes and salt-and-pepper hair, and he has multiple tattoos.

Career highlights

Shyam has been honoured with the Rajyotsava Award and has been associated with large-scale rescue numbers and civic recognition in Mysore. His involvement in television, film and international documentary projects expanded his reach beyond local conservation work and brought wider attention to snake rescue and education.
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Recent Work

Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 (contestant)

Participated as a contestant on Colors Kannada reality show hosted by Kiccha Sudeep.

2023
Snake City (documentary segment support)

Assisted the National Geographic team during the show's ninth season documentary study focused on Mysore.

2022
Kalaya Tasmai Namaha

Had a special role in the film.

2012
Gandhari (TV series)

Acted on Colors Kannada between 2015 and 2016.

2015-2016
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Career Highlights

  1. Rajyotsava Award (November 2015)
  2. Documentary contribution to National Geographic’s Snake City (2022)
  3. Named road in Mysore and recognition through the city’s first urban forest dedication
  4. Handled and documented 32,000 snake rescues as of 2019
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Snake Shyam (Bigg Boss) born?

1967

What is Snake Shyam (Bigg Boss) known for?

Snake Enthusiast; Lecturer; Former Counsellor at Mysore City Corporation; Wildlife Conservationist

What is Snake Shyam (Bigg Boss)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Snake Shyam (Bigg Boss) married to?

Satyavati