SM Sultan’s 32nd death anniversary observed in Narail

The 32nd death anniversary of world-renowned artist SM Sultan was observed in the district today through various programmes.

The district administration and SM Sultan Memorial Museum jointly organised the programmes.

The day’s programme began at 9.00 am on Saturday with floral tributes at the artist’s grave on the museum premises. Representatives of the district administration, SM Sultan Foundation, SM Sultan Memorial Museum, SM Sultan Bengal Fine Arts College, Narail Press Club, District Shilpakala Academy, SM Sultan Children’s Fine Arts and Crafts Foundation, and various social and cultural organisations paid homage to the celebrated artist.

The programmes also included recitation of the Holy Quran, prayers, a discussion meeting and a prize distribution ceremony.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam, Zila Parishad administrator and freedom fighter Mostafizur Rahman Alek, acting superintendent of Narail District Hospital Dr Abul Fazal Mohammad Mashiur Rahman Babu, additional deputy commissioner (General) Md Ahsan Mahmud Russell, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer T.M. Rahsin Kabir, former member secretary of the Sultan Foundation Advocate Md Iqbal Hossain Sikder, former acting mayor of Narail Municipality Khan Mohammad Kabir Hossain and SM Sultan Memorial Museum Curator Tandra Mukherjee, among others, attended the programmes.

The lifelong bachelor and secular-minded artist died at Combined Military Hospital, Jashore, on October 10, 1994.

He was buried in the courtyard of his own home in the Kurigram-Machhimdia area of Narail town.

Sultan was born on August 10, 1924, in Machhimdia, a lush, green and shaded village filled with the chirping of birds on the banks of the Chitra River, which flows past Narail town.

His father was Md. Mesher Ali and his mother was Maju Bibi. His parents affectionately named him Lal Mia.

Known as the artist of the soil and its people, Sultan portrayed the country, its land, its earthy essence and its hardworking, sweat-soaked people through his brushstrokes.

He created numerous celebrated paintings, including Jute Cutting, Paddy Harvesting, Threshing Paddy, Moving Through Water, Village Canal, Fishing, Village Noon, Crossing the River, Paddy Threshing, Journey to Plough the Land, Catching Fish, Riverside Ghat, Husking Paddy, Hauling Boats with Ropes, Harvest Time, Rural Life in Autumn, and Collecting Water Lilies.

In 1976, a solo exhibition of his paintings was held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.

It was primarily through this exhibition that he became newly acquainted with the country’s intellectual and cultural circles.

Sultan received the Ekushey Padak in 1982, recognition as a Resident Artist of the Government of Bangladesh in 1984, the Charushilpi Sangsad Award in 1986, and the Independence Award in 1993.

One of SM Sultan’s lifelong dreams centred on children. To fulfill that dream, he used his personal savings to build a floating boat named Shishuswarga (Children’s Paradise) on the banks of the Chitra River in the Machhimdia area of the town.

His intention was to take young children aboard the boat to explore nature. He wanted them to become familiar with the natural world and to draw pictures inspired by the scenes around them.