The 29th death anniversary of world renowned artist SM Sultan will be observed in Narail district today (Tuesday) in a befitting manner. In observance of the occasion, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, S.M. Sultan Foundation and Narail district administration have jointly chalked out a daylong programme at Sultan SmritiSangrahasala, Shishu Swarga and district Shilpakala Academy in the district town.
The day long programme includes paying tributes to the iconic artist through offering wreaths,QuranKhwani, doamahfil, an art and children’s letter exhibition, puppet show, discussion on Sultan’s life and work.
Deputy Commissioner of Narail Muhammad AsfaqulHaque Chowdhury who is also the President of S.M. Sultan Foundation said, “All preparations have been made for a successful observance of the death anniversary of the legendary artist.”
Sultan hit the headlines in the art world much before he was known as a painter to the people of his home land. Leading a very simple life far from the madding crowd at his village home, the great painter spent most of his life completely engrossed in paint and brush. His very simple but highly philosophic art has become the prime source of inspiration for the new generation of painters.
His artworks were shown in Shimla of India in 1946, in Lahore and Karachi in 1948-49 and many other paintings were exhibited in New York, Boston, London and Michigan university in 1959, long before his exhibition at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 1976. He joined the International conference of painters in America in 1950 as the representative of the then Pakistan government.
SM Sultan, a legendary artist of Bangladesh, won EkusheyPadak in 1982, Bangladesh CharuShilpiSangsad Award in 1986 and SwadhinataPadak in 1993. He was declared the Man of Asia in 1982 by Cambridge University and Bangladesh government declared him a resident of artist in 1984.
Sultan was born to a poor family at Machimdia in Narail town on 10 August, 1924. He died in Jashore Combined Military Hospital on October 10, 1994. He was buried at the backyard of his own house of the Machimdia-Kurigram area in Narail Municipality.