Noted Chittagong-based artist Monsur Ul Karim has received this year's Sultan Padak for his contributions to the Bangladeshi art. The award-giving ceremony was held on the concluding day of the weeklong Sultan Mela on March 4 in Narail.
State minister for Youth and Sports, Biren Shikder handed over the award to the artist. The fair was jointly organsied by Bangladesh Shikpakala Academy, the Cultural Ministry, the District Administrator of Narail and SM Sultan Foundation.
Artist Monsur came to prominence in the late '60s. His works are exhibited regularly. As an experimental painter, he delves into figures, themes, colours and textures. His works zoom in on the struggles and yearnings of his subjects. His works employ bright and lively colours to denote the Padma River and its surrounding atmosphere. His themes include sailing boats, fishing nets, clouds, monsoon, the changing tides, erosion of riverbanks and the displacement of people.
Monsur was born in Rajbari district in 1950. He did his graduation from the Institute of Arts (now the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka). Later, he completed his masters in fine arts from the Chittagong University. He is presently a professor at the same university. He has held over fifteen solo exhibitions. The artist also received the 'Ekushey Padak' in 2009 and many others prestigious awards in the country and abroad.