A two-day Sultan Festival began in Narail on Friday, marking the birth anniversary of SM Sultan, widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of the Indian subcontinent, with more than 200 children taking part in an art competition on the opening day.
The festival has been organised by the SM Sultan Shishu Charu O Karukala Foundation on the Sultan Mancha premises of Narail Government Victoria College.
Mostafizur Rahman Alek, administrator of Narail District Council, inaugurated the festival around 10am.
More than 200 children participated in the art competition, depicting SM Sultan, natural landscapes, rural fairs, the Sultan Fair, the Liberation War and various other themes through their paintings.
The organisers said the event was arranged to introduce children to Sultan’s artistic vision and works and encourage them to develop an interest in art.
The festival features an exhibition of paintings by children, a discussion on Sultan’s life and works, and a cultural programme in addition to the art competition.
Among others, Narail Government Victoria College Principal Prof Haider Ali Dewan, District Primary Education Officer Md Jahangir Alam, SM Sultan Charu O Karukala Foundation President Sheikh Hanif, retired professor and artist Bimanesh Biswas of the Fine Arts Department of Khulna University, lecturer of SM Sultan Charu O Karukala College Anadi Bairagi, Sultan Memorial Museum Curator Tandra Mukherjee, Assistant Curator Mehedi Hasan Rana and Sultan admirers attended the inaugural programme.
The festival will conclude on Saturday.
The 103rd birth anniversary of internationally acclaimed painter SM Sultan was observed on August 10.
