Peter was born in 1936, in Andhra Pradesh. Peter Thangaraj is one of the best goalkeepers India has ever produced. Although Thangaraj started his career as centre forward for Madras Regimental Centre, he found his calling in goalkeeping and went on to excel both at the domestic and international level. Along with the likes of Chuni Goswami and PK Banerjee, Thangaraj was one of the mainstays of the Indian team that performed well at the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics. When India clinched the gold at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games, Thangaraj was reassuring as the Indian custodian.
He was named the Best Goalkeeper of Asia in 1958 and awarded the Arjuna Award in 1967. Thangaraj twice played for the Asian All-Star team and was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper in 1967. At the domestic circuit, Thangaraj earned accolades playing for Calcutta giants like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting. He was part of the Bengal team, which continuously won the Santosh Trophy from 1961 to 1964.
