{{short description|Indian footballer (1936–2023)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Tulsidas Balaram | image = File:Tulsidas Balaram 1959.jpg | caption = Balaram in 1959 | height = {{height|m=1.73}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1936|10|04|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=289738/index.html|title=Tulsidas BALAMARAN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122102745/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=289738/index.html|archive-date=22 November 2017|website=FIFA.com|access-date=22 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> | birth_place = Bolaram, Secunderabad, Hyderabad State, British Raj<ref name=Balaram/> | death_date = {{death date and age|2023|02|16|1936|10|14|df=y}} | death_place = Kolkata, West Bengal, India | position = Forward | years1 = 1954 | clubs1 = Army Combat Force | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1955 | clubs2 = Rider's Club Hyderabad | caps2 = | goals2 = | years3 = | clubs3 = Hyderabad City Police | caps3 = | goals3 = | years4 = | clubs4 = East Bengal | caps4 = | goals4 = 104 | years5 = | clubs5 = Bengal Nagpur Railway | caps5 = | goals5 = | nationalyears1 = 1956–1962 | nationalteam1 = India | nationalcaps1 = 33{{efn|RSSSF mistakenly includes a goal from the match against Afghanistan in 1959 and doesn't count the brace Tulsidas scored against Tunisia in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/ind-balaram-intlg.html|title=Tulsidas Balaram - Goals in International Matches}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1960q.html#Asia|title=Games of the XVII. Olympiad Football Qualifying Tournament (Roma, Italy, 1960)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/tunisia-v-india-21-august-1960-227701/|title=Tunisia v India, 21 August 1960}}</ref>}}<ref name=Balaram>{{cite web|last=Kapadia|first=Novy|title=Tulsidas Balaram – The tormented genius of Indian football|url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/tulsidas-balaram-the-tormented-genius-of-indian-football|work=Sportskeeda.com|date=5 October 2013 |accessdate=13 May 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919105822/http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/tulsidas-balaram-the-tormented-genius-of-indian-football|url-status=live}}</ref> | nationalgoals1 = 12<ref name=Balaram/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/ind-balaram-intlg.html|title=Tulsidas Balaram - Goals in International Matches}}</ref> | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}} {{MedalCompetition|Asian Games}} {{MedalGold|1962 Jakarta|Team}} }}
'''Tulsidas Balaram''' (30 November 1936 – 16 February 2023), also known as '''Tulsidas Balaraman''', was an Indian footballer. Balaram represented India in multiple international tournaments, including the Asian Games, the Mederka Cup and the Olympics. Along with P. K. Banerjee and Chuni Goswami, Balaram was part of an acclaimed trio of players that helped propel India into what is widely regarded as its golden age of football during the 1950s and 60s.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=Legendary former India footballer Tulsidas Balaram dies aged 87 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/india-ind/story/4878878/legendary-former-india-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-dies-aged-87 |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219061938/https://www.espn.com/soccer/india-ind/story/4878878/legendary-former-india-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-dies-aged-87 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dey |first=Subrata |title=India — Record International Players |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/india-recintlp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321143659/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/india-recintlp.html |archive-date=21 March 2019 |access-date=22 August 2021 |website=RSSSF}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/indian_football_news_2021/april_news.html|title=INDIAN FOOTBALL NEWS (APRIL 2021): Ahmed Hussein, former Olympian footballer passed away|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508162517/https://www.kolkatafootball.com/indian_football_news_2021/april_news.html|archive-date=8 May 2021|website=www.kolkatafootball.com|location=Kolkata|access-date=23 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/25799 |title=Tulsidas Balaram |work=Olympedia |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201122915/https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/25799 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165|title=Old-timers recollect past glory of city football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022162920/https://www.thehansindia.com/amp/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165|archive-date=22 October 2021|publisher=The Hans India|date=14 July 2018|access-date=5 September 2021|first=Mohammed|last=Nizamuddin|location=Hyderabad, Telangana}}</ref>
Balaram made his mark playing football for the East Bengal of Kolkata, and captained the team in 1961–62.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kolkatafootball.com/capeb.htm|website=kolkatafootball.com|title=Kolkatafootball.com :East Bengal League History: Indian Football Capital's News|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011211/https://www.kolkatafootball.com/capeb.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/east-bengal-fc/20/|title=East Bengal FC » Historical squads|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011647/https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/east-bengal-fc/20/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eastbengalclub.co.in/teamarchives.html|title=East Bengal Club – The Official Site of East Bengal Club|website=eastbengalclub.co.in|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108213722/http://eastbengalclub.co.in/teamarchives.html}}</ref> He predominantly played as a center or left-wing forward<ref name=kebhof>{{cite web|title=Hall of fame|url=http://eastbengalfootballclub.com/hall-of-fame.php|work=Kingfisher East Bengal Club|access-date=12 April 2014|archive-date=11 February 2015|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211133057/http://eastbengalfootballclub.com/hall-of-fame.php}}</ref> In 1962, he received Arjuna Award from the Government of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|title=LIST OF ARJUNA AWARD WINNERS - Football {{!}} Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221945/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|archive-date=25 December 2007|access-date=25 December 2007|website=yas.nic.in|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=List of Arjuna Awardees (1961–2018)|url=https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (India)|access-date=12 September 2020|df=dmy-all|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718084523/https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf}}</ref>
He retired after playing for eight years due to a tuberculosis diagnosis at the age of 27.<ref name=":2" />
==Early life== Balaram was born on October 4, 1936, in Ammuguda, a village near Secunderabad in British-occupied Hyderabad. Despite being born into poverty, Balaram showed interest in football from a young age. He recalls getting his first pair of football boots by convincing a cobbler to repurpose an old pair of torn police shoes. When he was 19, he was encouraged by Syed Abdul Rahim to try out for the Hyderabad team for the 1956 Santosh Trophy. Rahim provided Balaram with a monthly allowance for a bicycle so that he could commute from his village to practice in Hyderabad.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Nag |first1=Utathya |title=Tulsidas Balaram: Indian football's tragic hero |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/who-is-tulsidas-balaram-indian-football |website=Olympics.com |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219061920/https://olympics.com/en/news/who-is-tulsidas-balaram-indian-football |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Club career== After his parents migrated to Secundrabad, Balaram started playing football at the Lallaguda workshop ground, and practised Hyderabadi style of one-touch football.<ref name="Get Bengal"/> He was scouted during a Secunderabad League match between Civilians and Army XI.<ref name="Get Bengal"/> He then appeared with Ryders Club, and eventually impress chief guest, Indian manager Syed Abdul Rahim.<ref name="Get Bengal"/> Balaram first played for the Hyderabad team in the 1956 Santosh Trophy. He scored against Bombay in the final, contributing to Hyderabad's 4–1 championship win.<ref name="Santosh Trophy"/>
After the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Balaram was signed by East Bengal Club in Kolkata by then secretary J. C. Guha.<ref name="Get Bengal"/> He became the highest paid player in the club at that time with a salary amount of Rs. 3,500.<ref name="Get Bengal"/> He soon went on to serve as team captain. With the "red and gold brigade", Balaram won several titles including the 1958 IFA Shield and the Santosh Trophy in 1959, 1960, and 1962.<ref name=":1" /> During his days in East Bengal, Balaram played under coach Sushil Bhattacharya.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitra |first=Atanu |date=19 July 2015 |title=Legendary Indian coach Sushil Bhattacharya passes away |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2015/07/19/13704072/legendary-indian-coach-sushil-bhattacharya-passes-away |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145235/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2015/07/19/13704072/legendary-indian-coach-sushil-bhattacharya-passes-away |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=22 July 2015 |website=www.goal.com |publisher=Goal |location=Kolkata}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=19 July 2015 |title=ইস্টবেঙ্গলের প্রথম কোচ প্রয়াত |trans-title=First coach of East Bengal passed away |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/sports/east-bengal-first-coach-sushil-bhattacharya-dead-1.178613 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816071947/https://www.anandabazar.com/sports/east-bengal-first-coach-sushil-bhattacharya-dead-1.178613 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=www.anandabazar.com |publisher=Anandabazar Patrika |language=bn |agency= |location=Kolkata}}</ref> In the 1959 CFL season, he finished as second highest goalscorer with 23 goals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Neil |date=26 January 2022 |title=India 1959 – List of Champions: Calcutta League |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india59.html#calc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007121452/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india59.html |archive-date=7 October 2022 |website=RSSSF}}</ref> He also played for Bengal Nagpur Railway with Arun Ghosh.<ref>{{cite web|title=Football — the passion play in Kolkata|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/football--the-passion-play-in-kolkata/211371-55.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111155154/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/football--the-passion-play-in-kolkata/211371-55.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2012|website=ibnlive.in|publisher=IBN Live|date=13 December 2011|access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehardtackle.com/2013/lack-of-focus-on-youth-development-is-biggest-problem-of-indian-football-arun-ghosh-exclusive-interview/|date=23 August 2013|access-date=26 August 2022|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|title="Lack of Focus on Youth Development Is The Biggest Problem of Indian Football" – Arun Ghosh (Exclusive Interview)|first1=Somnath|last1=Sengupta|first2=Aindrila|last2=Ghosh|first3=Bhaktimoy|last3=Sengupta|location=Kolkata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127020642/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2013/lack-of-focus-on-youth-development-is-biggest-problem-of-indian-football-arun-ghosh-exclusive-interview/|archive-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
==International career== thumb|"Golden Trio" of Indian football, Balaram in extreme right, along with Goswami (in left) and PK Banerjee, at the 1962 Asian Games. Balaram played a total of 33 matches for India and scored 12 goals in international tournaments.{{efn|RSSSF mistakenly includes a goal from the match against Afghanistan in 1959 and doesn't count the brace Tulsidas scored against Tunisia in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/ind-balaram-intlg.html|title=Tulsidas Balaram - Goals in International Matches}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1960q.html#Asia|title=Games of the XVII. Olympiad Football Qualifying Tournament (Roma, Italy, 1960)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/tunisia-v-india-21-august-1960-227701/|title=Tunisia v India, 21 August 1960}}</ref>}}<ref name=":2" />
===Olympic Games=== Balaram was recruited to the India national team for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and made his international debut against Yugoslavia. Balaram and the Indian team finished in 4th place in 1956, marking India's best-ever finish in football at the Olympic games.<ref name=":1" />
At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Balaram was responsible for 2 out of 3 Indian goals throughout the tournament. India were placed in the so-called "group of death", with Hungary, France, and Peru. They started the competition against Hungary, losing the game 2–1, with Balaram scoring India's first goal in the tournament at the 79th minute. Although they lost, the resulting score added to India's credibility within the group stage as the Hungarians beat Peru and France 6–2 and 7–0, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/syed-abdul-rahim-the-indian-ferguson|title=Syed Abdul Rahim: The Indian Ferguson {{!}} The visionary who guided India to their greatest success|website=www.sportskeeda.com|publisher=Sportskeeda|date=4 September 2015|access-date=20 August 2022|first=Faizan|last=Qadiri|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820151814/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/syed-abdul-rahim-the-indian-ferguson|archive-date=20 August 2022}}</ref> India almost upset 1958 World Cup semi-finalists France a few days later, with Balaram playing a pivotal role in the 1–0 lead deep into second half.<ref>[https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165 Old-timers recollect past glory of city football] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022162920/https://www.thehansindia.com/amp/posts/index/Hans/2018-07-14/Old-timers-recollect-past-glory-of-city-football/398165 |date=22 October 2021 }}. ''The Hans India''. Retrieved 5 September 2021.</ref> Balaram was the Indian team's only scorer in their final match of the tournament, a 3–1 loss to Peru.<ref name=":1" />
===Asian Games=== During the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, India's match against Hong Kong went into extra time after the scoreline was 2–2 during normal time. Despite an injury, Balaram assisted with two goals and scored one as India won 5–2.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=22 November 2011 |title=Legends of Indian Football : Tulsidas Balaram |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-tulsidas-balaram/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921204215/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-tulsidas-balaram/ |archive-date=21 September 2015 |access-date=29 September 2015 |website=thehardtackle.com |publisher=The Hard Tackle}}</ref>
One of the more popular and widely recognized moments in his career came when India won the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta. Balaram played every game and scored two goals, one each against Thailand and Japan. This marked the second time India has come in first place for football at the Asian games.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=Tulsidas Balaram, the last of the holy trinity of Indian footballers, no more |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/tulsidas-balaram-the-last-of-the-holy-trinity-of-indian-footballers-no-more-8449634/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217065530/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/tulsidas-balaram-the-last-of-the-holy-trinity-of-indian-footballers-no-more-8449634/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Coaching career== After retirement, Balaram went on to manage one of the prestigious multi-sports clubs in Kolkata, Bengal Nagpur Railway.<ref name="Get Bengal"/> He was later appointed coach of Calcutta Mayor's XI, and guided the team in competitions like Gothia Cup in Sweden, and played a key role in bringing up players including Basudev Mandal, Mehtab Hossain, and Sangram Mukherjee.<ref name="Get Bengal">{{cite web|url=https://www.getbengal.com/details/olympian-tulsidas-balaram-the-once-don-of-maidan-soccer-is-no-more|title=Olympian Tulsidas Balaram, the once don of Maidan soccer is no more|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402004749/https://www.getbengal.com/details/olympian-tulsidas-balaram-the-once-don-of-maidan-soccer-is-no-more|archive-date=2 April 2023|access-date=20 February 2023|date=16 February 2023|website=getbengal.com|publisher=Get Bengal Information Desk|location=Kolkata}}</ref> When a youth team under his coaching got an invitation to play in Germany, his visa was denied by Indian Govt. His team eventually played in Berlin, remaining unbeaten in four games. Balaram also worked as advisor of the Dum Dum Municipality's Kingston–Nikhil Nandy Football Academy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2016 |title=আশি পেরিয়েও কোচিংয়ে প্রবীণতম অলিম্পিয়ান কোচ |url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/sports/football/news/coach-nikhil-nandi/articleshow/55614863.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325141046/https://eisamay.com/sports/football/news/-/articleshow/55614863.cms |archive-date=25 March 2022 |website=eisamay.indiatimes.com |publisher=Ei Samay Sangbadpatra |language=bn |location=Kolkata}}</ref>
== Reception and legacy == 200px|thumb|right|alt=|Balaram (''in left'') being felicitated by M. S. Gill and Ajay Maken in April 2011 {{cquote|''Tulsidas Balaram was a complete player and could've fitted very well into today's total football. He could dribble, he could score and he had a brilliant header. Balaram was probably the best in Asia in his days.''|source=Gautam Roy, football historian, on Balaram to the Olympic Channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/golden-era-indian-football-team-players-top-players-pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami|title=PK, Chuni, Balaram, the troika that scripted Indian football's Golden Era|first=Utathya|last=Nag|website=olympics.com|publisher=The Olympics|language=en|location=|agency=|date=31 January 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514082401/https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/golden-era-indian-football-team-players-top-players-pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami}}</ref>|cquote}}
Indian sports journalist Ajay Basu described Balaram as a ''"superb inside forward"''. Basu further praised Balaram's improvisation, industriousness and ability to hit curling shots, stating that "while Chuni Goswami had more flair in his play, Balaram had more variety and versatility."<ref name=":3" />
Former Indian international defender Arun Ghosh described Balaram as a man who had ''"two eyes on the back of his head"'' due to the high quality of his ball distribution. He was also the central figure of his teams, directing most attacking moves.<ref name=":3" />
Balaram, known for having a strong partnership with Chuni Goswami and P. K. Banerjee, is considered one of the "Indian football's holy trinity".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/indian-football-team-national-olympics-history-1948-1952-1956-1960|title=Indian football at the Olympics: The complete history|first=Utathya|last=Nag|website=olympics.com|publisher=The Olympics|language=en|location=|agency=|date=3 February 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-date=13 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013161643/https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/indian-football-team-national-olympics-history-1948-1952-1956-1960}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-down-the-years-looking-back-at-the-glorious-moments#|title=Indian Football Down the Years: Looking back at the glorious moments|first=AIFF|last=Media Team|website=www.the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|language=en|trans-title=|location=New Delhi|agency=|date=15 August 2022|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921011335/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-down-the-years-looking-back-at-the-glorious-moments}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/sports/football/pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami-and-tulsidas-balaram-three-legends-of-indian-football-are-no-more-dgtl/cid/1407564|title=পিকে-চুনী-বলরাম! ময়দানের কিংবদন্তি ত্রয়ীর তিন জনেই চলে গেলেন ইতিহাসের পৃষ্ঠায়|trans-title=PK-Chuni-Balram! All three of Maidan's legendary trio have gone down in history|website=anandabazar.com|publisher=Anandabazar Patrika|language=bn|date=16 February 2023|access-date=16 February 2023|location=Kolkata|archive-date=16 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216132520/https://www.anandabazar.com/sports/football/pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami-and-tulsidas-balaram-three-legends-of-indian-football-are-no-more-dgtl/cid/1407564}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chuni Goswami: A legend in every sense of the word |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/chuni-goswami-legend-every-sense-indian-football.html |website=theweek.in |publisher=The Week |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126011337/https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/chuni-goswami-legend-every-sense-indian-football.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Football's Enduring Light, P.K. Banerjee Passes Away at 83 |url=https://thewire.in/sport/pk-banerjee-dies-indian-football |date=20 March 2020 |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=thewire.in |publisher=The Wire |location=Kolkata |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321174452/https://thewire.in/sport/pk-banerjee-dies-indian-football |agency=PTI }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Football Legend PK Banerjee Dies At 83 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/sports-news-indian-football-legend-pk-banerjee-dies-at-83/349137 |date=20 March 2020 |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=outlookindia.com |publisher=Outlook India News |location=Kolkata |language=en |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023031412/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/sports-news-indian-football-legend-pk-banerjee-dies-at-83/349137 |agency=PTI }}</ref>
Balaram retired from playing in 1963 due to a tuberculosis diagnosis.<ref name=":2" /> After his death, players of both India and Kyrgyz Republic paid tribute to him ahead of the kick-off of the last game of the 2023 Tri-Nation International Tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latestly.com/socially/sports/football/indian-football-team-players-pay-tribute-to-late-legend-tulsidas-balaram-ahead-of-kick-off-against-kyrgyz-republic-in-tri-nation-international-tournament-2023-watch-video-5003311.html|title=Indian Football Team Players Pay Tribute to Late Legend Tulsidas Balaram Ahead of Kick-Off Against Kyrgyz Republic in Tri-Nation International Tournament 2023 (Watch Video)|website=latestly.com|publisher=LATESTLY|language=en|date=28 March 2023|access-date=28 March 2023|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328172848/https://www.latestly.com/socially/sports/football/indian-football-team-players-pay-tribute-to-late-legend-tulsidas-balaram-ahead-of-kick-off-against-kyrgyz-republic-in-tri-nation-international-tournament-2023-watch-video-5003311.html}}</ref>
==Later life and death== After leaving Secunderabad permanently, Balaram became resident of Uttarpara, Hooghly.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/legenday-indian-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-passes-away-8449380/|title=Legenday Indian Footballer Tulsidas Balaram passes away|date=16 February 2023|access-date=16 February 2023|website=indianexpress.com|publisher=The Indian Express|archive-date=16 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216130112/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/legenday-indian-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-passes-away-8449380/}}</ref> He later worked as senior welfare officer in South Eastern Railway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/hooghly-news/uttarpara-residents-are-deeply-saddened-for-legend-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-death/articleshow/97984807.cms|title=প্রয়াত কিংবদন্তী ফুটবলার তুলসিদাস বলরাম, শোকে আচ্ছন্ন গোটা উত্তরপাড়া|trans-title=Legendary footballer Tulsidas Balaram passes away, entire Uttarpara is in mourning|date=16 February 2023|access-date=26 February 2023|website=eisamay.com|publisher=Ei Samay|language=bn|first=Suman|last=Majhi|location=Kolkata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329054628/https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/hooghly-news/uttarpara-residents-are-deeply-saddened-for-legend-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-death/articleshow/97984807.cms|archive-date=29 March 2023}}</ref>
On 26 December 2022, he was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata with abdominal distension and other age-related problems.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/legendary-indian-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-hospitalized-8351288/lite/|title=Legendary Indian footballer Tulsidas Balaram hospitalized|date=29 December 2022|access-date=29 December 2022|website=indianexpress.com|publisher=Indian Express|agency=Press Trust of India|location=Kolkata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229182221/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/legendary-indian-footballer-tulsidas-balaram-hospitalized-8351288/lite/|archive-date=29 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/football/indian-football-legend-tulsidas-balaram-hospitalised-6722191.html|title=Legendary Indian footballer Tulsidas Balaram hospitalized|date=29 December 2022|access-date=30 December 2022|website=news18.com|publisher=CNN News18|agency=Press Trust of India|location=Kolkata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229171018/https://www.news18.com/news/football/indian-football-legend-tulsidas-balaram-hospitalised-6722191.html|archive-date=29 December 2022}}</ref> Balaram died on 16 February 2023, at the age of 86.<ref name="bn18">{{cite web |trans-title=Tulsidas Balaram passed away aged 86 years |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/sports/tulsidas-balram-passed-away-aged-86-years-in-kolkata-due-to-health-problem-last-member-of-asian-games-gold-medal-team-rrc-994707.html |website=bengali.news18.com |access-date=16 February 2023 |date=16 February 2023 |first=Rohan |last=Chowdhury |title=চলে গেলেন ভারতীয় ফুটবলের কিংবদন্তি তুলসীদাস বলরাম, অপূরণীয় ক্ষতি দেশের ফুটবলে |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216130106/https://bengali.news18.com/amp/news/sports/tulsidas-balram-passed-away-aged-86-years-in-kolkata-due-to-health-problem-last-member-of-asian-games-gold-medal-team-rrc-994707.html#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16765437565328&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/tulsidas-balaram-india-s-asian-games-gold-medal-winning-footballer-dies-101676542179497.html|title=Tulsidas Balaram, India's Asian Games gold-winning footballer, dies|date=16 February 2023|access-date=16 February 2023|website=hindustantimes.com|publisher=The Hindustan Times|archive-date=16 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216130117/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/tulsidas-balaram-india-s-asian-games-gold-medal-winning-footballer-dies-101676542179497.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/sport/tulsidas-balaram-dies-2/1375940/|title=Tulsidas Balaram dies|date=16 February 2023|access-date=16 February 2023|website=theprint.com|publisher=The Print|agency=Press Trust of India|archive-date=16 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216130135/https://theprint.in/sport/tulsidas-balaram-dies-2/1375940/}}</ref>
==International statistics== ===FIFA 'A' Matches===
{| class="wikitable" ! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Result !! Competition !! Goals |- | 26 May 1958 || Korakuen Velodrome, Tokyo || {{fb|Burma|1948}} || {{won|3–2}} || 1958 Asian Games || 1<ref name=tulsigoalatasiangames1958>{{cite web|last=Ghoshal|first=Amoy|title=Indian football team at the Asian Games: 1958 Tokyo|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1958-tokyo|work=Sportskeeda.com|date=17 August 2014 |accessdate=19 June 2016|archive-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905102115/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1958-tokyo|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 30 May 1958 || Tokyo Football Stadium, Tokyo || {{fb|HKG|1955}} || {{won|5–2}} || 1958 Asian Games || 1<ref name=tulsigoalatasiangames1958/> |- | 1 June 1958 || National Stadium, Tokyo || {{fb|INA}} || {{lost|1–4}} || 1958 Asian Games || 1<ref name=tulsigoalatasiangames1958/> |- | 31 August 1959 || Kuala Lumpur, Malaya || {{fb|SIN|colonial}} || {{won|2–0}} || 1959 Merdeka Tournament || 1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/straitstimes19590901-1.1.15|title=Victory without glitter for India against lowly Singapore|date=1 September 1959|publisher=The Straits Times|accessdate=5 July 2018|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705182202/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Page/straitstimes19590901-1.1.15|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 11 December 1959 || Cochin, India ||{{fb|IRN|1925}} || {{won|3–1}} || 1960 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier || 1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/matchdetails.php?id=21|title=India 3-1 Iran}}</ref> |- | 14 April 1960 || Calcutta, India ||{{fb|IDN}} || {{won|4–2}} || 1960 Olympics Qualifier || 1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rsssf.org/tableso/ol1960q.html#Asia|title=Games of the XVII. Olympiad Football Qualifying Tournament (Roma, Italy, 1960)|work=RSSSF}}</ref> |- | 21 August 1960 || Rome, Italy || {{fb|Tunisia}} || {{pending|2–2}} || International Friendly || 2<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/india/tab/matches/season/1961/|title=India national football team 'A' international record: 1961|access-date=24 February 2022|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224053500/https://www.11v11.com/teams/india/tab/matches/season/1961/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 26 August 1960 || L'Aquila, Italy || {{fb|HUN}} || {{lost|1–2}} || 1960 Olympic Games || 1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/rome1960/matches/round=197076/match=32043/index.html|title=MATCH Report|publisher=FIFA.com|accessdate=5 July 2018|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180226/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/rome1960/matches/round=197076/match=32043/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 1 September 1960 || Pescara, Italy || {{fb|PER}} || {{lost|1–3}} || 1960 Olympic Games || 1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/rome1960/matches/round=197076/match=32052/index.html|title=MATCH Report|publisher=FIFA.com|accessdate=5 July 2018|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705180224/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/rome1960/matches/round=197076/match=32052/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 28 August 1962 || Senayan Stadium, Jakarta || {{fb|THA}} || {{won|4–1}} || 1962 Asian Games || 1<ref>{{cite web|last=Ghoshal|first=Amoy|title=Indian football team at the Asian Games: 1962 Jakarta|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1962-jakarta|work=Sportskeeda.com|date=18 August 2014 |accessdate=5 July 2018|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619141024/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/indian-football-team-at-the-asian-games-1962-jakarta|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 29 August 1962 || Senayan Stadium, Jakarta || {{fb|JPN|1870}} || {{won|2–0}} || 1962 Asian Games || 1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19620830&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|title=Soccer Team Poised For Semi-final: Japan Beaten 2–0|date=30 August 1962|publisher=The Indian Express|accessdate=5 July 2018|archive-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714045638/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19620830&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |}
==Honours==
'''India''' *Asian Games Gold medal: 1962<ref name="KF"/> *Merdeka Tournament runner-up: 1959<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html|title=The Indian Senior Team at the 1959 Merdeka Cup|website=www.indianfootball.de|publisher=IndianFootball|date=1999|last=Chaudhuri|first=Arunava|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608085202/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1959merdekacup.html|archive-date=8 June 2018}} (information given by Jaydeep Basu, Sunil Warrier, and Gautam Roy).</ref>
'''East Bengal'''<ref name="KF">{{cite web|first=G. C.|last=Das|url=http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html|title=Indian Legendary Football Players Profile: TULSIDAS BALARAM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914072626/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html|date=14 September 2008|archive-date=14 September 2008|access-date=25 January 2011|website=www.kolkatafootball.com|publisher=Kolkata Football}}</ref> *IFA Shield: 1958, 1961 *Calcutta Football League: 1961 *Durand Cup: 1960
'''Hyderabad''' * Santosh Trophy: 1956–57<ref name="Santosh Trophy">{{Cite web|first=Novy|last=Kapadia|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/memorable-moments-in-the-santosh-trophy-2|website=www.sportskeeda.com|publisher=Sportskeeda|date=27 May 2012|access-date=7 March 2021|title=Memorable moments in the Santosh Trophy|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412140304/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/memorable-moments-in-the-santosh-trophy-2}}</ref> '''Bengal'''<ref name="KF"/> * Santosh Trophy: 1958–59,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/indiasantoshhist.html#60|title=India – List of Santosh Trophy Finals: 1959 (second)|website=RSSSF|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|first1=Atsushi|last1=Fujioka|first2=Arunava|last2=Chaudhuri|access-date=6 October 2022|date=1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912123232/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/indiasantoshhist.html#60|archive-date=12 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> 1959–60, 1962–63
'''Bengal Nagpur Railway'''<ref name="Balaram AIFF">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-condoles-the-demise-of-tulsidas-balaram|title=AIFF condoles the demise of Tulsidas Balaram|first=Media Team|last=AIFF|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|date=16 February 2023|access-date=16 February 2023|location=New Delhi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216161259/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-condoles-the-demise-of-tulsidas-balaram|archive-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> * IFA Shield: 1963 * Rovers Cup: 1964
'''Hyderabad City Police/AP Police''' * Rovers Cup: 1962<ref>{{cite web|date=12 May 2021|title=SportMob – Best Indian football players of all time|url=https://sportmob.com/en/article/967888-Best-Indian-football-players-of-all-time|access-date=28 January 2022|website=SportMob.com|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809100523/https://sportmob.com/en/article/967888-Best-Indian-football-players-of-all-time}}</ref>
'''Individual''' * Arjuna Award: 1962<ref>{{cite web|title=National Award winning Footballers|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html|website=indianfootball.de|publisher=IndianFootball|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|date=2000|access-date=25 January 2019|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001123849/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/nationalawards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> *Calcutta Football League top scorer: 1961<ref>{{cite web|first1=Gautam|last1=Roy|first2=Swapan|last2=Ball|date=2007|url=http://www.eastbengalfootballclub.com/club/famousPlayers3.asp|title=East Bengal Football Club – Famous Players|access-date=25 February 2009|website=www.eastbengalfootballclub.com|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221072434/http://www.eastbengalfootballclub.com/club/famousPlayers3.asp|archive-date=21 February 2009}}</ref> * Best Player Award by the Kolkata Veterans Club: 1961<ref name="Get Bengal"/> * Banga Bibhushan: 2013<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/host-of-celebrities-to-be-get-bengal-government-awards-monday-113051701035_1.html|title=Host of celebrities to be get Bengal government awards Monday|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=17 May 2013|access-date=18 February 2023|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009104446/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/host-of-celebrities-to-be-get-bengal-government-awards-monday-113051701035_1.html}}</ref> * ''Sportskeeda'' All time Indian Football XI<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/greatest-indian-football-xi-of-all-time|title=All time Indian XI|date=23 November 2016|access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201149/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/greatest-indian-football-xi-of-all-time|website=sportskeeda.com|publisher=Sportskeeda|first=Amoy|last=Ghoshal}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}} ==See also== {{Portal bar|India|Biography|Association football}} *List of East Bengal Club captains *History of the India national football team *India national football team at the Olympics
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== * Ghosh, Shyam Sundar (September 2022), ''Balaram: The Hero of Indian Football''. *{{cite book|first1=Boria|last1=Majumdar|first2=Kausik|last2=Bandyopadhyay|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V-sMYjZkpigC&pg=PA69|title=A Social History Of Indian Football: Striving To Score|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629140637/https://books.google.com/books?id=V-sMYjZkpigC&pg=PA69|archive-date=29 June 2021|publisher=Routledge|date=2006|isbn=9780415348355}} *{{cite book|first1=Jaydeep|last1=Basu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QeovtKLi-1sC|title=Stories from Indian Football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011131939/https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Stories_from_Indian_Football.html?id=QeovtKLi-1sC&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y|archive-date=11 October 2022|publisher=UBS Publishers' Distributors|date=2003|isbn=9788174764546}} *{{cite book |last1=Kapadia |first1=Novy |year=2017|title=Barefoot to Boots: The Many Lives of Indian Football |publisher=Penguin Random House |isbn=978-0-143-42641-7 }} *{{cite book |last1=Martinez| first1=Dolores |last2=Mukharjiim |first2=Projit B|year=2009|title=Football: From England to the World: The Many Lives of Indian Football |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nbzhAQAAQBAJ&q=kerala+footballer+in+Burma |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-138-88353-6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702174505/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=nbzhAQAAQBAJ&dq=kerala+footballer+in+Burma&source=gbs_navlinks_s |archive-date=2 July 2022 }} *{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QbUFaAEACAAJ|title=History of Indian Football: Upto 2009–10|first=Nirmal|last=Nath|year=2011|publisher=Readers Service|isbn=9788187891963|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722172604/https://books.google.co.in/books/about/History_of_Indian_Football.html?id=QbUFaAEACAAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y|archive-date=22 July 2022}} *{{cite book|title=Soccer in South Asia: Empire, Nation, Diaspora|year=2001|publisher=Frank Cass Publishers|location=London, United Kingdom|isbn=978-0-7146-8170-2|last1=Dineo|first1=Paul|last2=Mills|first2=James|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=71JHZiiP3hoC|archive-date=25 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725072732/https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Soccer_in_South_Asia.html?id=71JHZiiP3hoC&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y}} *{{Cite web|last=Sengupta|first=Somnath|title=Tactical Evolution of Indian Football (Part Two): Revolution Under Rahim Saab|url=https://thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-two-revolution-under-rahim-saab/|location=Kolkata|date=13 July 2011|access-date=2021-03-16|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|language=en-US|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025021904/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/tactical-evolution-of-indian-football-part-two-revolution-under-rahim-saab/}} *{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/965595/from-facing-death-to-playing-through-pain-the-story-of-jarnail-singh-indian-footballs-gutsy-hero|title=From facing death to playing through pain: The story of Jarnail Singh, Indian football's gutsy hero|website=scroll.in|publisher=Scroll|date=25 June 2020|access-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230082001/https://scroll.in/field/965595/from-facing-death-to-playing-through-pain-the-story-of-jarnail-singh-indian-footballs-gutsy-hero|archive-date=30 December 2021}} *{{cite web|url=https://inscript.me/how-east-bengal-mohun-bagan-became-rival-history-of-west-bengal-club-football-by-ayan-bhattacharya-robibarer-royak|title=বাংলা ভাগের ক্ষত কিভাবে বিষিয়ে দিল মোহনবাগান আর ইস্টবেঙ্গলকে?|trans-title=How did the wound of the partition of Bengal poisoned both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal?|first1=Ayan|last1=Bhattacharya|archive-date=7 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107163804/https://inscript.me/how-east-bengal-mohun-bagan-became-rival-history-of-west-bengal-club-football-by-ayan-bhattacharya-robibarer-royak|website=inscript.me|publisher=ইনস্ক্রিপ্ট বাংলা নিউজ|location=Kolkata|language=bn|date=10 September 2023|access-date=7 November 2023}} *{{Cite web|url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/sports/indian-football-problems-article-part-two-mithun-bhowmick-58095/|title=ভারতীয় ফুটবলের অসুখসমূহ: পর্ব – ২|trans-title=Diseases of Indian football: Episode – 2|first1=Mithun|last1=Bhowmick|location=Kolkata|publisher=IE Bangla Sports Desk|website=bengali.indianexpress.com|agency=Indian Express News Service|language=bn|date=15 December 2018|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-date=15 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115165835/https://bengali.indianexpress.com/sports/indian-football-problems-article-part-two-mithun-bhowmick-58095/}}
==External links== * {{sports links}} * [https://mobile.twitter.com/eg_eastbengal/status/1577168507359268865 Tulsidas Balaram – EBFC] at Twitter
{{India men's football squad 1956 Summer Olympics}} {{India men's football squad 1960 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balaram, Tulsidas}} Category:1936 births Category:2023 deaths Category:Indian men's footballers Category:Sportspeople from Secunderabad Category:Footballers from Hyderabad, India Category:India men's international footballers Category:East Bengal Club players Category:Footballers at the 1958 Asian Games Category:Footballers at the 1962 Asian Games Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Asian Games gold medalists for India Category:Asian Games footballers for India Category:Olympic footballers for India Category:Footballers at the 1956 Summer Olympics Category:Footballers at the 1960 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the 1962 Asian Games Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award Category:Calcutta Football League players Category:Asian Games gold medalists in football