Nawabi Ride 2024: Preserving Bengal’s royalty on two wheels
The riders joining the event donned Bengal’s cultural clothing in style, with male riders wearing crisp white lungis and punjabis, while female participants added splashes of elegance in sarees or salwar kameez
On Friday morning of 15 November, Vespas started to gather in front of International Convention Center Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital's Purbachal Expressway. The event organised by Bangladesh Vespa Community (BVC) this time was named the Nawabi Ride 2024.
Unlike BVC's regular club activities, this meet was different. This time the riders joining the event donned Bengal's cultural clothing in style, with male riders wearing crisp white lungis and punjabis, while female participants added splashes of elegance in sarees or salwar kameez.
Western attire? Strictly off-limits. Why? Because the Nawabi Ride is more than a ride; it's a mood—a throwback to a time when Bengal thrived under Nawabi rule, brimming with grace, grandeur, and an eye for style.
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With most of the members arriving at the meeting spot, it was time for the convoy to begin a synchronised rally down the Expressway's service road. The destination was a picturesque open space in Purbachal.
This time the event was not limited to Vespas. Any two wheeler, be it vintage or modern, scooter or motorbike, was welcomed. However, all participants had one job: to arrive in traditional attire, with helmets on and be ready to channel their inner Nawab or Begum.
As the motorcade rallied to the event venue, members of Volkswagen Club Bangladesh joined the scooters, adding a delightful layer and blending two different automotive heritages into one unique narrative.
The morning unfolded with a mix of photo sessions, epic drone shots and lively discussions between enthusiasts of classic automobiles. To enrich the traditional atmosphere, the organisers served Bengali refreshments like matha, muri murki, and spicy snacks. BVC's admin panel and volunteer members added a further cherry on top by distributing souvenirs and goodies to participants.
The Nawabi Ride started in 2022 as a tribute to Old Dhaka's cultural roots and the refined spirit of the Nawabs. As the BVC puts it, the event isn't about recreating history as Nawabs definitely didn't ride Vespas, after all. Rather, it is about remembering the essence of that bygone era with the timelessly charming Vespas as the perfect chariots for this mission.
