More than 50,000 spectators gathered along both banks of the Titas River on Saturday to enjoy a traditional boat race organised by the district administration of Brahmanbaria after a two-year hiatus.
The race, suspended in 2024 and 2025 due to various circumstances, was held this year to preserve the traditional rural Bengali heritage.
The 1.5-kilometre race started at 3:30pm from the Shimrailkandi Gaongeram point in Brahmanbaria municipality and ended at Medda Government Shishu Paribar.
A total of 10 boats from Sadar, Nabinagar and other upazilas took part in the competition, with four boats advancing to the final after winning their respective heats.
Md Khaled Hossain Mahboob, MP for Brahmanbaria-3 (Sadar-Bijoynagar) and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Commerce, inaugurated the event.
Dressed in colourful attire, the boatmen rowed their decorated boats to the rhythm of traditional musical instruments and Bhatiali songs. The sound of oars hitting the water and the boatmen’s chants, including “Maro tan, heiyare heiyaho”, filled the area as spectators joined in.
Shapla Voice Club of Sadar secured first place and received Tk 2 lakh, while a boat from Darma village in Sadar finished second and received Tk 1.5 lakh. Puil Youth Sangha of Nabinagar came third and received Tk 1 lakh.
Each participating team was given Tk 30,000 and a trophy.
Reserved-seat MP Nadia Pathan Papon, Zila Parishad Administrator and district BNP General Secretary Sirajul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Md Abusayed, Superintendent of Police Shah Md Abdur Rauf and Brahmanbaria municipality Administrator Shariful Islam, among others, attended the programme.
The race drew crowds to rooftops, river ghats and boats along both banks of the Titas, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the day.
-UNB
