Host:
Greetings and a warm welcome to all the visitors from Rajpur Mahasashan Shanti Kunja. My heartfelt love and respect to everyone. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, pranam.
Host:
Today, the famous footballer Krishnendu Ray is here with us to visit you. I have a question for Krishnendu Babu: could you share a special moment from your football career with us?
Krishnendu Ray:
First, let me offer my respects to Gurudev. It feels wonderful to be here. Coming here gives me a unique sense of peace, both in mind and body. Gurudev's blessings are the greatest gift for me. I have visited him many times before, and I am here today as well. Of course, one always has personal needs, but I am truly overwhelmed by how Gurudev honors and respects athletes. For a player like me to receive such respect from him is significant.
Gurudev:
Don't say that. There was a time when your names were on everyone's lips. Whenever Mohun Bagan played, your names were everywhere. I am 76 years old now; I have seen many matches of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. I've been following the game since the days of Batannagar. I have watched many of your programs on YouTube, and that's what brought me here to seek your blessings.
Krishnendu Ray:
Regarding a special moment in my career—it goes back to when I was playing for Aryans Club in the junior team. At that time, nobody really knew me as Krishnendu Ray. Suddenly, I got a call-up for the senior Indian national team. The late P.K. Banerjee was the coach then.
Gurudev:
You mentioned a name that is very dear to me.
Krishnendu Ray:
Absolutely. I am "Krishnendu" today because of P.K. Da. However, my mentor was Shanti Banerjee, a great footballer under whom I started. The incident I'm referring to happened in 1981. I was a junior then. P.K. Da called me to the camp. At that time, there were legendary players like Prasun Banerjee, Prashanta Banerjee, Mihir Bose, Bhaskar Ganguly, Manoranjan Bhattacharya, Parmar, and Harjinder Singh. Who was Krishnendu compared to them? I remember practicing at Salt Lake. Some of the local boys asked P.K. Da, "Why did you call this kid?" P.K. Da replied, "Don't worry, I'll drop him." I can still hear those words. Later, we went to play an exhibition match in Barrackpore. I scored the only goal, and the Indian team won.
Krishnendu Ray:
Then we went from Salt Lake to Hyderabad for the final selection for the Merdeka Tournament. One night, around 12:30 or 1:00 AM, we were all called to the coach's room for the team selection announcement. As juniors, we assumed we'd be cut. But when P.K. Da started reading the list, he said, "Krishnendu Ray." I couldn't sleep at all that night. Shortly after, we went to Malaysia for the Merdeka Tournament. I didn't get a chance in the first match, but I played the second match and scored a goal. India won because of that goal, and after that, I never had to look back.
Krishnendu Ray:
I felt a bit sad later because, after returning to Kolkata, we went to North Korea. Then came the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi. I was dropped during the final selection. I told P.K. Da, "You dropped me, but the Asian Games happen every four years. After four years, you won't be able to drop Krishnendu Ray." I played in the 1986 Asian Games as a regular player. Before that, I played in the Pre-Olympics and the Asia Cup final rounds. I played in almost all the major tournaments in India. I was also the captain of Mohun Bagan during its centenary year. I played for East Bengal too, but people mostly identify me as a Mohun Bagan player. I also captained the Bengal state team and played for many years. I received a lot of love from the people.
Gurudev:
In those days, a match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan created such immense excitement. That passion is missing today. We used to stay glued to the radio for commentary. If the radio acted up, we'd get frustrated. Ajay Bose, Kamal Bhattacharya—their way of describing the game was unparalleled.
Host:
I want to mention another footballer who is no longer with us—Kishan De.
Krishnendu Ray:
Regarding Kishan De—since you brought him up—he was an extraordinary footballer for India and Bengal. I played with him for Mohun Bagan; he joined a bit after me. Believe me, when he was on the field and had the ball at his feet, even though we were on the same team, I would stop and just admire his artistry. He was that kind of player. He could do wonders within a four-foot space. He was incredibly skillful. It's rare to see such talent in Indian football.
Gurudev:
The saddest part now is that they bring in players from outside. I don't watch the games anymore because I don't see our local boys. It's not about the money; it's about the soul of the game.
Krishnendu Ray:
Back then, in the Indian team, out of 18 players, 11 would be from Bengal. Players like Biswajit Bhattacharya and Manoranjan Bhattacharya were a legendary duo. I played with Goutam Sarkar and Surajit Sengupta as well.
Host:
You played with Surajit Sengupta for a year at Mohun Bagan, right?
Krishnendu Ray:
Yes, I joined in 1981, which was likely Surajit Da's last year. We became Federation Cup champions that year. Surajit Da was the Man of the Tournament and Man of the Match. I was named the Best Right Back.
Host:
I remember an IFA Shield match where East Bengal played against Ararat. Surajit Da scored a goal from a 90-degree angle.
Krishnendu Ray:
Extraordinary! Surajit Da was great. In those days, the footballs were much heavier too. There is no question about Surajit Sengupta's greatness as a right winger. It's very sad that he passed away during the pandemic.
Gurudev:
The passion is gone. I don't blame the club officials entirely, but if our local boys don't step up, they have to look outside. But the outsiders don't have that "feeling" for the club. I enjoy talking to you because you've played for these great clubs, and I have immense respect for that. I want to see our own boys shine.
Host:
Who would you say is the best footballer you've seen in your life?
Krishnendu Ray:
If I have to pick one from my time and what I've seen, it would be Goutam Sarkar. There were many great players—Prasun Banerjee, Prashanta Banerjee—I played with them and I know their worth. Surajit Sengupta, J. Xavier Payas, Shyam Thapa, Manoranjan Bhattacharya, Bhaskar Ganguly, Shyamal Banerjee... but Goutam Sarkar in the midfield was something else. His tenacity and the way he covered the field were remarkable. If there was a problem anywhere on the pitch, Goutam Da was there to recover.
Host:
Alright, Gurudev, we will wrap up for today.
Gurudev:
Yes, that's fine.
Host:
We are very happy to have had you here, Krishnendu Da. Please come again. We have our annual Puja on the day of Mahalaya, the 25th. You must come with your family. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Namaskar.