Welcome to Pint of View, Bangalore’s first-ever community where classroom-styled lectures meet drinks in relaxed spaces.

Football is the world's most popular sport, but it is also much more than a game. It is a lens through which we can understand history, identity and society. As Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano famously wrote, "Tell me how you play and I'll tell you who you are."

India has a rich footballing history of its own. Across the country, the sport has shaped communities, politics, religion and everyday life. From Sevens football in Kerala and Basti football in Meghalaya to Black tournaments in Bengaluru and Khep football in Kolkata, each region has adapted the game into something uniquely its own.

So why has the world's most populous nation never qualified for the FIFA World Cup?

Is it because India isn't a sporting nation? Is it a question of culture, infrastructure or governance? Or is the answer far more complex?

Join journalist and author *Sandeep Menon* for a thought-provoking exploration of football's global journey, India's many football cultures, and the historical, social and structural reasons that have shaped the country's place in the world's biggest sport.

About the Speaker

Sandeep Menon is a journalist, author and educator based in Bengaluru. An automobile engineer by training, he spent over a decade as a sports correspondent with Deccan Herald, The Times of India and Deccan Chronicle, while also writing on culture, gender, cinema and music. He is the co-founder of Injury Time, one of India's oldest podcasts dedicated to Indian football.

He currently serves as Senior Editorial Manager at the Office of Communications at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), teaches as a guest lecturer at various institutions, and writes for multiple publications.

His first book, Out of the Blue: Bengaluru FC's 10-Year Odyssey, chronicled the rise of Bengaluru FC. His latest book, Sacred Grounds: A Journey Through People's Football in India, explores the diverse football cultures across the country and the deep connections between football, geography, religion, politics and society.

Event Details

📅 Sunday, 19 July

🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

📍 Atta Galatta, Indiranagar, Bengaluru

Your ticket includes:

• 1 complimentary kombucha from Umami Brew

• First-come, first-served seating

About Pint of View

Pint of View is India's Largest Lecture Community. We brought the lecture in bar format to India and are now expanding across the globe with chapters in 14 cities worldwide. Here, big ideas meet intimate spaces, and you walk in curious and walk out with a sharper lens on the world.

Book now and develop your own pint of view. 🍻