Beyond the Maidan

Exploring the people, places and leagues behind Kolkata’s football culture.

By Krithav Agrawal

A wide-angle view of a grassroots football match on a Kolkata neighbourhood ground, players in motion under bright floodlights with the city's rooftops visible in the background.
Local Kolkata football players gathered on a community ground, capturing the spirit of grassroots football in the city.
A candid moment from a neighbourhood football tournament in Kolkata, reflecting the energy and community of local grassroots football.

Beyond the Maidan is a student-led exploration of Kolkata’s football culture beyond professional clubs and major stadiums.

Football has been a major part of my life since childhood. It has given me experiences, friendships, competition and memories that I value deeply. As I became more interested in the history of football in Kolkata, I started thinking about what the sport had given me personally and whether I could give something back.

That led me to look beyond professional football and towards the local communities where the game is still played for the love of it.

This website explores Kolkata’s football history, grassroots football and the importance of local competitions. It also documents my experience of organising and sponsoring a football tournament in Beleghata, Kolkata, with the help of a local para leader, my father, members of the Beleghata Yubak Brinda Club, local residents and other helpers.

The aim is not to suggest that one tournament can transform grassroots football. Instead, the project is about understanding what can happen when a small group of people creates an opportunity for others to participate.