The legendary artist SM Sultan’s 96th birth anniversary was observed at his residence in Masumdia-Kurigram area of Narail on Monday
The SM Sultan Foundation and District Administration jointly organized programs to mark the birth anniversary of the famous artist.
The programs includes Quran Khani, Doa-Mahfil, tributes offering wreaths and to seek eternal blessings for the departed soul at Sultan’s graveyard were held at Machhimdia-Kurigram area in Narail municipality, following social distance and adhering to hygiene rules.
Deputy Commissioner of Narail and Sultan Foundation President Anjuman Ara attended the ceremony as chief guest while Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) MD.Yarul Islam, Sultan Art College principal Anadi Bairagi, SM Sultan Shishu Charu-O-Karukala foundation president Sheikh Hanif, Narail Press Club secretary Shamimul Islam Tulu, among others, present on the occasion.
Sultan hit headlines in the world of art much before he was known to people in his home land. Leading a very simple life at his village far away from the crowd, the selfless painter spent most of his life painting. His very simple but highly philosophical art, which revealed the nature and the people of Bangladesh, has become the prime source of inspiration for a 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 the 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 won the Ekushey Padak in 1982, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in 1986 and Swadhinata Padak in 1993.
He was entitled the “Man of Asia” in 1982 by Cambridge University and the Bangladesh government named him “a resident of artist” in 1984.
Sultan was born to a poor family at Masumdia area in Narail town on 10 August, 1924.
He died in Jessore Combined Military Hospital on October 10, 1994. He was buried in the yard of his own house in the Masumdia-Kurigram area of Narail Municipality.
