The 28th death anniversary of renowned Bangladeshi artist SM Sultan was observed at Sultan Complex in Masumdia area in the town in a befitting manner on Monday (Oct 10).
The SM Sultan foundation and District Administration jointly organised several programmes to mark the day. The programmes included Qurankhwani and Doa Mehfil, placing wreaths at the artist's grave and seeking eternal peace of his departed soul. Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Shaswati Sheel, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Riazul Islam and Curator of SM Sultan Shanroho Shala Tandra Mukherje, among others, were present on the occasion, local media reported.
SM Sultan's artworks were shown in Simla of India in 1946, in Lahore and Karachi in 1948-49 and paintings were exhibited in New York, Boston, London and Michigan University in 1959, long before his exhibition at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 1976.
He joined the International conference of painters in America in 1950. SM Sultan won Ekushey Padak in 1982, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in 1986 and Swadhinata Padak in 1993.
He was entitled the "Man of Asia" in 1982 by Cambridge University and the Bangladesh government declared him "A resident of artist" in 1984.
The famous artist was born to a poor family at Masumdia area in Narail town on Aug 10, 1924. He died in Jashore Combined Military Hospital on Oct 10, 1994.
He was buried at the yard of his own house in Masumdia area of Narail Municipality.
