After two years, traditional boat race held on the Titas
Colourful boat race in the Titas river being held after two years of cessation. Agamir Somoy.
After a long two-year hiatus, the tranquil Titas River once again echoed with the rhythmic splashing of oars. Millions of people gathered in excitement to watch the boat race on a late autumn afternoon.
A colourful boat race was held on Saturday (September 12), organised by the district administration. The boat of Shapla Boys Club from Khamtapur village secured first place.
According to people concerned, the last boat race on the Titas River was held in 2023. The event is a much-cherished festival for the people of Brahmanbaria, and it brings a festive atmosphere across the district. Visitors also come from neighbouring districts to enjoy the traditional competition.
Although the formalities of the boat race began at 3:30pm on Saturday, crowds started gathering before noon. Once the competition began, both banks of the river became packed with people.
The race was held along the stretch of the river from Shimrailkandi to Medda in the district town. Nine boats from different parts of the district took part in the competition.
As the rowers’ oars struck the water of the lively Titas and the brightly coloured boats surged forward, excitement swept through the crowds along the riverbanks. Spectators stood on both sides of the river, enjoying the race and cheering for their favourite teams.
Rony Alam, an expatriate Bangladeshi living in Italy who came to watch the race, said, “The boat race is a festival close to our hearts. I was in Dhaka. I came to Brahmanbaria from Dhaka this morning with great difficulty just to watch the race. The enthusiasm of the people on both banks of the river proves that this is truly a festival close to our hearts. All my tiredness has disappeared after coming to this joyful festival.”
Another spectator, Al Amin Shaheen, said, “A wave of joy sweeps through the people living along the Titas on the occasion of the boat race. The whole of Brahmanbaria is festive today. We are delighted. We want this competition to be held every year.”
Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner Md Abu Saeed said, “The boat race is a festival close to the hearts of the people here. From next year, we will organise the competition on an even grander scale.”
Brahmanbaria-3 (Sadar and Bijoynagar) constituency lawmaker Khaled Hossain Mahbub said, “Recently, we have noticed negative campaigns on social media about Brahmanbaria and its culture. This boat race has proved that Brahmanbaria is a cultural capital. The boat race is an integral part of Brahmanbaria’s heritage. People want the boat race to be held every year. We hope we will be able to organise it regularly from next year.”
Later, the guests handed over prizes to the winning team.
Among those present at the prize-giving ceremony were District Council Administrator Sirajul Islam, Deputy Director of the Local Government Division Shariful Islam, Police Superintendent Shah Md Abdur Rauf, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ranjan Chandra De, district Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Mobarak Hossain, district BNP Senior Vice-President Zahirul Haque and former president Hafizur Rahman Molla, among others.
