Tulsidas Balaram Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth and Family

On 26 December 2022, Balaram was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata with abdominal distension and other age-related problems.

As coach of Calcutta Mayor’s XI, Balaram played a part in bringing up players like Basudev Mandal and Sangram Mukherjee. However, he had to face hurdles in every step. When a youth team under his coaching got an invitation to play in Germany, his visa was denied by Indian Govt. AIFF under Priyaranjan Dasmunshi refused to clear his visa on time. His team eventually played wonderfully in Berlin, remaining unbeaten in four games. Two years back, he finally received some much needed recognition from East Bengal Club though he is yet to receive his Padma Shri, according to a short interview published in Anandabazar Patrika in 2001. Balaram also worked as advisor of the Dum Dum Municipality’s Kingston–Nikhil Nandy Football Academy.

Balaram, known for having incredible partnership with Chuni Goswami and P. K. Banerjee, is one of the “Indian football’s holy trinity”. Balaram retired in 1963 owing to health related issues. His absence was strongly felt by the Indian team at the AFC Asian Cup in Israel, the following year. For a footballer whose popularity and performances in all versions of the game has few parallels, Balaram’s life is full with far too many cases of shoddy treatment. Some of it took place during his playing days, incredibly.

Balaram made his mark playing football for the East Bengal of Kolkata, and captained the team in 1961–62. He was one of the best players of the golden age of Indian football of the 1950s and 1960s. His playing position was as a center forward or as a left winger. In 1962, he received Arjuna Award from the Government of India.

At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, India were placed in the group of death with Hungary, France and Peru. They started the competition against the mighty Hungary, losing the game 2–1 with Balaram scoring the consolation goal in the 79th minute. Despite the loss, that result added credibility to India as the Hungarians beat Peru and France 6–2 and 7–0, respectively. India didn’t defeat Hungary but almost upset 1958 World Cup semi-finalists France few days later. Balaram was again unstoppable as India held on to a 1–0 lead deep into second half. A mistake from Ram Bahadur denied India a famous victory.

Former Indian international and eminent defender Arun Ghosh described Balaram as a man who had two eyes on the back of his head – so good was his ball distribution. He was also the heart of his teams, directing every attacking move. During his days in East Bengal, Balaram played under coaching of legendary Sushil Bhattacharya. In the 1959 CFL season, he finished as second highest goalscorer with 23 goals. In 1961, he was selected captain of the team and led from the front, playing one of his best ever seasons. He top scored with 23 goals, won the league’s best player award and also led his club to do a double over Mohun Bagan. His popularity among the Red & Golds faithful knew no bounds. In early 60s, Mohun Bagan’s Dhiren De once tried hard to sign Balaram for the club.

According to Balaram’s best game for India, came against Hong Kong in the 1958 Asian Games. The match went into extra time after the scoreline was 2–2 during normal time. Balaram showed peak performance in extra time, assisting two goals and scoring once as India ran out 5–2 victors. Famous journalist Ajay Basu described Balaram as ‘superb inside forward’. Basu further said that his improvisation, industriousness and ability to hit curling shots were second to none. While Chuni Goswami had more flair in his play, Balaram had more variety and versatility.

After outstanding performance with Hyderabad at the 1956–57 Santosh Trophy and winning the title defeating Bombay 4–1 in final, Balaram was called up for the India national team. His performances against international teams are no less spectacular. He was one of the prime components of India’s Gold winning team of 1962 Asian Games. He played every single game and scored goals against Thailand and Japan.

Tulsidas Balaram (born 30 November 1936), also known as Tulsidas Balaraman, is a retired footballer from India who had represented the country in international competitions including the Olympic Games. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football strikers, India has ever produced.