Tributes paid to humanist painter
People from all walks of life paid glowing tributes to acclaimed painter SM Sultan on the occasion of his 14th death anniversary yesterday.
One of the world's reputed artists Sultan whose works depicting strength of rural folks in 'strong muscles' earned appreciation from home and abroad.
The daylong programmes began with the placing of wreaths at the grave of the humanist painter at his Masimdia village on the outskirts of Narail town in the morning.
SM Sultan Foundation, Narail Press Club, SM Sultan Shishu Charu and Karukala Foundation and the district administration organised different programmes that included Quran Khwani, milad mahfil, offering of fateha and painting competition for children.
Over 100 children participated in the painting competition at Shishu Swarga, a child art centre dreamt and established by Sultan.
The children also took a five-kilometre-long boat ride on Chitra river from Narail to Gobra College where local Police Super Kamrul Ahsan distributed prizes among the children who took part in the painting competition.
Other programmes included discussion on SM Sultan's life and works. Former district education officer Sharif Atiar Rahman chaired the discussion while Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Jahangir Alam was present as chief guest.
Member-Secretary of Sultan Foundation Prof Munshi Hafizur Rahman and Curator of Sultan Smriti Complex Nayla Nahrin were present on the occasion.
Sultan, fondly called by his village people as Lal Miah, was born to a family of Meser Ali and Maju Bibi of Masimdia village on August 10, 1923.
Despite not having institutional qualification, he was admitted to Calcutta Art College.
But his bohemian nature saw him embarking on travelling around India without completing his studies.
He first went to different states of India and later to the then West Pakistan.
He also visited the US and Europe and had exhibition of his works in New York, Washington, Chicago, Boston and London.
Sultan returned to Bangladesh in 1953.
He established Nanda Kanon primary school, Nando Kanan secondary school and Nando Kanon Fine Arts College in Jessore.
He was introduced to cultural connoisseurs of the country through a solo art exhibition at Shilpakala Academy in 1976.
In 1982, Sultan was conferred the 'Man of Achievement' award by the Cambridge University.
He also received 'Ekushey Padak' in 1982, 'Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award' in 1986 and 'Independence Award' in 1993.
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