Dr. Subbiah has 17 years of teaching experience and an extensive 29-year career as a director, scriptwriter, performer, researcher and critic in theatre and folk arts. His contributions extend to film and television media, where he has worked as an actor, trainer, casting director and creative consultant for more than 20 television productions and 4 feature films. Dr. Subbiah is an alumnus of Pondicherry University and has qualified for the UGC’s NET and JRF in Performing Arts (Drama and Theatre Arts) and holds multiple postgraduate degrees, including an M.A. in Drama and Theatre Arts (Gold Medalist) and qualifications in Mass Communication, Sociology, Tamil and Public Administration. He also holds a Professional MBA and specialized diplomas in Media Arts, Folkloristics, Journalism, Public Relations Management, Information & Communication Law and NGO Management. His diverse academic background underpins his interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research.
His academic credentials are complemented by his expertise in acting, actor training, acting methods, and dramatic literature. Dr. Subbiah has played a pivotal role in shaping curricula for Drama and Theatre Arts, Film and Theatre Studies, Folk Performing Arts, Traditional Arts, and Indigenous Arts. He has served as a subject expert for the Board of Studies at prestigious institutions, including Alagappa University, Tamil University, Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University, Tamil Nadu Open University, Calicut University, and Annamalai University. He has also served as an examiner for PG, M.Phil., and Ph.D. programs at these universities. His leadership in organizing international and national conferences and seminars, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Government of India, the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, and the Lalit Kala Akademi, has strengthened academic discourse in the field.
Dr. Subbiah’s scholarly achievements include 108 publications, encompassing 38 international journal articles, 20 national journal articles, and seven books—five authored independently. He has mentored one PDF, six Ph.D., and three M.Phil. scholars. He has served as an editor for five international peer-reviewed journals while reviewing for six others. His research excellence has earned him 27 Awards—15 International and 12 National—including the Best Teacher Award, Best Researcher Award and Best Actor Award from esteemed institutions and organizations.
He has also served as an actor trainer and casting consultant for popular Star Vijay TV and ZEE Tamil serials such as Kana Kaanum Kaalangal, 7C, Andaal Azhagar, Mappillai, Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar, and Nenjam Marappathillai. In these series, he portrayed diverse roles, excelling as an antagonist, comic antagonist and in various character roles, demonstrating his versatility as an actor. His contributions to the television industry extend further as an Associate Director for serials on Star Vijay TV, Doordarshan and Raj TV and as an Assistant Director in Tamil films. He has also served as a content writer for major events on Star Vijay Television.
In the public service sector, Dr. Subbiah has served as a Communication Specialist, Strategist and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Expert. He has held key positions in organizations such as the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu and the National AIDS Control Organisation. His work involved designing and implementing communication strategies to promote public health initiatives and social awareness campaigns. He has created and edited short films, public service announcements, songs and jingles for awareness programs by the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu.
His passion for social development is evident in his work as a full-fledged theatre trainer for school and college students, teachers, theological institutions, village children, orphanages and NGOs. Since completing his postgraduate degree in Drama and Theatre Arts, he has dedicated himself to nurturing talent across various segments of society. He has collaborated with the Sangeet Natak Akademi as an actor and technical designer in modern theatre productions and worked with the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Tamil Nadu. His creative contributions include scripting six major plays—Karuppu Nilam, Vadhai, Sithravadhai, Ukkiram, Tamirabarani and Rathu Seyyappatta Vaarthaigal.
Dr. Subbiah has frequently served as a judge/Jury member for prestigious events such as South Zone and National Youth Festivals, Science Drama Festivals, Theatre Festivals and Cultural Festivals organized by government bodies, universities and colleges

Acting and Actor’s Training, Script Writing and Direction, Street Theatre and Modern Theatre, Folk Performing Arts and Indigenous Arts, Tamil Culture and Folk Literature, Film and Television Media, IEC, BCC and IPC.