The birth centenary of world renowned artist SM Sultan will be observed in Narail today (Thursday) in a befitting manner.
In observance of the occasion, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, SM Sultan Foundation and Narail district administration have chalked out a daylong programme at Sultan Smriti Sangrahasala and District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
The programme includes-Quran Khwani at Sultan's grave yard at 8:00 am, tribute to the portrait of Bangabandhu in the DC office premises, tribute to SM Sultan's grave yard,Doa Mahfil, Children's painting exhibition on Sultan's life and work, Art camp,painting workshop with children, children's painting competition, review of Sultan's paintings at District Shilpakala Academy,discussion meeting on Sultan's life and work at Shilpakala Academy auditorium. Documentaries film Adam Surat will be shown at Shilpakala Academy auditorium at 6:30 pm.
Deputy Commissioner of Narail Mohammad Ashfaqul Haque Chowdhury said all preparations have been made for a successful observance of the birth centenary 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 away from the madding crowd at his village home, the selfless painter spent most of his life completely engrossed in paint and brush.His very simple but highly philosophic art which revelled in nature and the people of Bangladesh, has become the prime source of inspiration for the new generation of painters.
His artworks were shown in Simla of India in 1946, in Lahore and Karachi in 1948-49 and 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 Ekushey Padak in 1982, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in 1986 and Swadhinata Padak 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.
Artist Sultan was born to a poor family at Masumdia area in Narail town on 10 August, 1924. He died in Jashore Combined Military Hospital on October 10, 1994. He was buried at the yard of his own house of the Masumdia-Kurigram area in Narail Municipality.
