Snake Shyam
M. S. Balasubramania | |
|---|---|
 Snake Shyam | |
| Born | 1967 (age 56–57) Cheluvaamba Hospital, Krishnarajanagara, Mysore State, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Snake Bite |
| Occupation(s) | Snake conservationist, Auto rickshaw Driver, former Counselor - Mysore City Corporation (MCC) |
| Known for | Snake enthusiasm |
| Children | Surya kirthi |
| Website | snakeshyammysore |
M. S. Balasubramania (alt spelling Balasubramanya;[1] born 1967),[2] popularly known as Snake Shyam, is a snake enthusiast, wildlife conservationist and lecturer in Mysore, India.[3] He was elected to the Mysore City Corporation in 2013, a role he served until 2018.[1][4]
Though not a trained
Shyam has been widely recognized for his work. National Geographic featured him in its Croc Chronicles: Snakes, Karma, Action special.[8] He has also been featured on the Discovery channel.[9] Mysore city has named a street for him and has dedicated its first "urban forest" to him and fellow environmentalist Hyder Ali Khan.[5][10]
Shyam is also known for his personal flamboyance and has been described by The Hindu as "easily the most recognisable characters [sic] of Mysore, complete with his sun hat, overflowing beads and multiple rings that adorn his fingers".[3]
Background
Shyam was born to M.R.Subbarao and A.Nagalakshmi Mirle in Cheluvaamba Hospital, Krishnarajanagara, Mysore State, now in Karnataka, India.[11] He demonstrated his interest in snakes at an early age, when a snake invaded a neighbor's home. After convincing those around not to kill the snake, he caught it and released it into the garden. From this incident, he earned his nickname.
Avocation
By profession, Shyam was a driver, transporting children to school, but beginning in 1982 he began to be frequently called upon to retrieve snakes that had encroached on people's properties, a job for which he receives no pay.
In 2004, he estimated that he may have caught and released over 40,000 snakes since he began in 1980;
His knowledge of snakes—he can identify 28-30 local species of snakes—is founded on personal experience, but supplemented by reading the works of or speaking to professionals such as
Snake Shyam was elected to Mysore City Corporation in the elections held in March 2013, sponsored by the BJP.[1] In August 2018, he was expelled from the party for "anti-party activities" and chose to contest as an independent, unsuccessfully.[4][12]
In 2019, he completed another record by catching 32,000 Snakes.
References
- ^ a b c Milton, Laurence (11 March 2013). "Snake enthusiast wins MCC election". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ "Snake man". Frontline. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Special correspondent. (14 February 2008) A prize catch for the ‘naturalist on wheels’ The Hindu. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b "Electorate give hung verdict in Mysuru City Corporation polls". Mysuru Today. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Srinivasaraju, Sugata. (29 November 2004) The charm of a gutless racquet Archived 22 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine Outlook Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ Special correspondent. (4 July 2005) Snake falls victim to superstitious belief The Hindu. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ Staff correspondent. (26 June 2007) 60 teenagers chosen for a course on wildlife The Hindu. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b c d e Staff (22 September 2005). "A hiss and tell story". The Hindu
- ^ Srinivasan, Sarayu (19 February 2016). "From a snake catcher to a corporator: Read how this Mysuru man dons different roles". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ Staff correspondent. (6 April 2008) Sapgreen activities begin tomorrow. The Hindu. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b The unknown animal lover Snake Shyam ourkarnataka.com. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ "Expelled from BJP for anti-party activities". Star of Mysore. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2019.