Narail:The 32nd death anniversary of the acclaimed artist SM Sultan will be observed tomorrow with a series of events organized in the district. The district administration, in collaboration with the SM Sultan Complex, has arranged a full day of activities to honor the artist's legacy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the commemorative events will include paying tributes at SM Sultan's grave, offering prayers, and hosting a discussion and prize-giving ceremony. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Abdul Salam confirmed that all preparations are complete to honor the artist, whose works were once displayed alongside those of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí in a European exhibition in 1950. Sultan was the sole Asian artist featured in this prestigious exhibition.
SM Sultan was born on August 10, 1924, in the village of Machhimdia near the Chitra River, close to Narail town. Known for his unique portrayal of the land and its people, Sultan created numerous celebrated paintings reflecting the rural life and hardworking essence of Bangladesh. His renowned works include "Jute Cutting," "Paddy Harvesting," "Village Canal," and "Riverside Ghat," among others.
A solo exhibition of Sultan's paintings in 1976 at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka helped reintroduce him to the nation's intellectual and cultural circles. His accolades include the Ekushey Padak in 1982, recognition as a Resident Artist by the Government of Bangladesh in 1984, the Charushilpi Sangsad Award in 1986, and the Independence Award in 1993.
SM Sultan was deeply committed to nurturing children's connection to nature. With his savings, he built Shishuswarga (Children's Paradise), a floating boat designed to introduce children to the natural world and inspire them to create art from their surroundings. The lifelong bachelor and secular-minded artist passed away on October 10, 1994, at the Combined Military Hospital in Jashore and was laid to rest in the courtyard of his home in Narail.