The 14-day long 'Sultan Mela' is set to begin on Jan 7 in Narail. Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Zillur is expected to inaugurate the Sultan Mela at the Sultan Mancha on the premises of Narail Government Victoria College. The fair will begin on Jan 7 and it will end on Jan 20, local media reported.
Like the previous years, the fair signifies exposition of the country's core culture in the form of art exhibition, rural games and folk music.
The thought-provoking event infuses creative intent into the minds of visitors, besides reminding them of invaluable art-works of SM Sultan, an artist of global stature.
The fair will feature art exhibition, art competition, bull fighting, Jari Gaan, Kobi Gaan, Lathi Khela, recitation, drama staging and discussions.
Narail district administration and SM Sultan Foundation will jointly organise the fair.
Artist SM Sultan was born at Masumdia village under Narail Sadar Upazila in a poor family on Aug 10 in 1923.
His artworks were shown in Simla of India in 1946 and in Lahore and Karachi in 1948-49 in Pakistan and paintings were exhibited in New York, Boston, London and Michigan University in 1959.He joined the International conference of painters in America in 1950 as the representative of the then Pakistan government.
Sultan, a legendary artist of Bangladesh won Ekushey Padak in 1982, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in 1986 and Swadhinata Padak in 1993. He wa0s declared the Man of Asia in 1982 by the Cambridge University and Bangladesh government declared him as resident of artist in 1984. Sultan died in Jashore Combined Military Hospital on Oct 10 in 1994.
