Balram

Balram is a given name of Indian origin that can refer to several people, as well as to cultural and mythological figures. The variant spelling Balram is commonly used in India and among Indian communities.

Etymology and traditions

The name Balram derives from Sanskrit elements such as bala, meaning strength or youth, and Rama, the name of a revered Hindu deity. Balram is frequently considered a variant transliteration of Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna in Hindu tradition. In many strands of Hinduism, Balarama is a major figure and is sometimes regarded as an avatar of Vishnu.

In literature and culture

Balram Halwai is the protagonist of The White Tiger, a 2008 novel by Aravind Adiga. The story is told in the first person by a driver from a lower caste who narrates his personal ascent in the context of rural poverty and urban corruption in contemporary India. The character’s name has become closely associated with the novel and its themes of social mobility and inequality; a film adaptation, The White Tiger, was released in 2021.

Notable people

Notable individuals with the given name Balram include Balram Jakhar, an Indian politician who served in multiple roles and was Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Balram Bhargava is an Indian physician and public health administrator known for leadership in medical research and health institutions. The name is widely used across India, appearing in politics, academia, sports, and business.

See also

Balarama, the Hindu deity associated with the name, and various transliterations of Balram across languages. The name’s usage reflects its cultural and historical connections to Hindu mythology and modern Indian society.