The 14-day long 'Sultan Mela' in remember of 98th birth anniversary of world renowned artist SM Sultan was inaugurated at the Sultan Mancha on the premises of Narail Government Victoria College in Narail on Saturday afternoon.
Narail district administration and SM Sultan Foundation jointly organised the fair.
Additional Khulna Divisional Commissioner Abdur Rashid inaugurated the Sultan Mela as chief guest while Zila Parishad Chairman and District Awami League President Advocate Subas Chandra Bose, Narail Government Victoria College Principal Professor Rabiul Islam, Chief Executive Officer of Narail Zilla Parishad Dr Lutfar Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Fakrul Hasan, Narail Municipality Mayor Anjuman Ara, Heroic freedom fighter Saifur Rahman Hilu, Heroic freedom fighter SA Baki, Narail Press Club President Enamul Kabir Tuku, Malay Kumar Kundu, Principal Roshan Ali were present as special guests. Narail Municipality councilor Sharful Alom Litu conducted the inaugural programmes.
Narail deputy commissioner (DC) and president of SM Sultan foundation Muhammad Habibur Rahman presided over the inaugural session. The fair will end on January 20.
The fair are feature International art exhibition, art competition, rural games including Lathi Khela, bull fighting and folk music, Jari Gaan, Kobi Gaan, recitation, drama staging and discussions on Sultan life and works.
A total of 100 stalls with traditional textile and cottage industry products set up for sale on Sultan Mancha premises.
Artist Sultan was born at Masumdia village under Narail Sadar Upazila of a poor family on 10 august,1924.
His artworks were shown in Simla of India in 1946 and in Lahore and Karachi in 1948-49 and paintings were exhibited in New York, Boston, London and Michigan university in 1959.He joined the International conference of painters in America in 1950 as the representative of the then Pakistan government.
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 Bangladeh government declared him as resident of artist in 1984. Sultan died in Jashore combined Military Hospital on 10 October,1994.