101st birth anniversary of legendary artist SM Sultan being celebrated

The 101st birth anniversary of legendary Bangladeshi artist SM Sultan is being celebrated today, 10 August, with the launch of a two-year programme honouring his life and work.

Sultan, born in 1924 in Machimdia village of Narail, is revered for his depictions of rural landscapes and muscular peasants, and for his unique artistic style that defied convention.

The SM Sultan National and International Birth Centenary Celebration Committee announced the programme at an event on Saturday evening at Bengal Shilpalay, Dhanmondi. The celebrations, delayed last year due to political unrest, will feature art and photography exhibitions, seminars, workshops, memorial lectures, and the publication of books on the artist’s life and philosophy.

The inaugural discussion, titled “The Legacy of Artist Sultan: Imagination, Beauty and the Politics of Uplifting the Common Man,” included the unveiling of the book 'Sultan Khonon', edited by committee member secretary and Ekushey Padak-winning photographer Nasir Ali Mamun. A documentary by Mamun featured tributes from renowned artists, writers, and cultural figures.

In his keynote speech, Dhaka University Professor Dr Shahman Moishan described Sultan as an artist who rejected colonial cultural structures and modernist conventions, developing a visual language rooted in humanity. Committee convenor and artist Monirul Islam highlighted Sultan’s distinctive portrayal of powerful human figures without conventional backgrounds or shading.

Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair, art critic Prof Abdus Sattar, Prof Abul Mansur, and Mustafa Zaman also spoke. Presiding over the event, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayed said Sultan “captured the immense strength of rural people and rendered the vigorous life of Bengalis in colour and line.”

In Narail, the SM Sultan Foundation, district administration, Shilpakala Academy, and other organisations have also arranged extensive programmes to mark the anniversary.

During his career, Sultan exhibited alongside Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, and held solo exhibitions in the US, UK, India, and Pakistan. He established art institutes in Narail and Jessore and was honoured with the Ekushey Padak (1982), Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award (1986), and the Independence Award (1993).

SM Sultan passed away on 10 October 1994, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists.