Of boats and paddles

PHOTOS : Palash Khan

TEXT: Fayeka Zabeen Siddiqua

Bangladeshi boat race, popularly known as nouka baich is quite different from the other forms of boat races anywhere in the world. Why? It does not follow any strict rules about what type of boat can take part in the race, how long the boats will be rowed or how many people will it carry. What makes it unique is the person who doesn't row but boosts up the rest of the team by singing traditional energetic songs. It serves as one of the most important and traditional source of entertainment in many rural areas, but Dhakaites too are bringing this wonderful rural tradition into the urban setting and working to protect this tradition.