Today Saturday (August 10) is the 95th birth anniversary of world famous artist SM Sultan. On this day(August 10) of 1924 he was born in Nasimdia village of Narail.
Deputy Commissioner and president of Sultan Foundation of Narail, Anjuman Ara informed that an elaborate program including Quran khwani, doa and milad mahfil, art competition of the children, discussion meeting and prize giving functions have been arranged in this connection.
Artist SM Sultan depicted the hidden treasures of the Bangalee instincts of art and culture through his works.
His father was Meser Ali and mother was Mst. Maju bibi. His parents named him Lal Mia resembling his appearance.
This artist of quality during his 70 years span of bohemian life projected country, smell of soil and sweltering working people by creating Pat Kata, Dhan Kata, Dhan Jhara, Jalkey Chala and many more works relating with village workers, laborers, beauty of nature.
In 1950 while he was in Europe tour, his paintings in a joint exhibition along with the art works of Pabelo Picaso, Dufi, Salvador Dali, Poulki, Connet and Matis were exhibited. Sultan was the only artist from Asia whose work got chance to be exhibited.
SM Sultan got his art training and institutional education in Kolkata Art college. He also got strong patronization of the then Chief Minister of undivided Bengal H.S. Shuhawardy and his family while in Kolkata.
Before coming back to his country in 1953 SM Sultan made whirlwind tour around the world and exclusive tour of Indian subcontinent. He also arranged exhibitions at different venues during his tour. He came in contact with many ‘Pundits’ of art and paintings of the contemporary world.
He founded the Nandan Kanan School at Chachuri Purulia of Kalia under Narail district in 1955.
He led a bohemian life all through his career. However finally he got an address when on July 19 of 1969 the Institute of Fine Arts was inaugurated at his Masimdia house by the then deputy commissioner of Jashore, Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, now an advisory council member of Awami League. He got the patronization of Enam Chowdhury immensely.
During liberation war he used to do his paintings and art works touring different places of his area.
During the decades of ‘50s and ‘60s he viewed the life, nature and culture of the people very closely. He depicted his thoughts through his works.
In 1976 a solo art exhibition was held at Dhaka Shilpakala academy that attracted the people of the civil society and lovers of art and culture.
This great artist in 1982 was awarded Ekushey Padak, got residence artist recognition in 1984, he got certification award of Fine Art Sangsad also and in 1993 he got Swadhinata padak from the state level.
On October 10 of 1994 this legendary artist SM Sultan breathed his last at Jashore Combined Military Hospital.