Globally revered as one of the pioneering Bangladeshi artists of all time, Sultan was born at the Machimdia village in the country’s Narail Sadar upazila on 10 August 1923.

Often widely considered the most unique Bangladeshi artist of his timeline in terms of many aspects, SM Sultan created a lasting impression in the country’s art scene and left many admirers who still remember the revered artist with utmost respect for his artistic brilliance.

SM Sultan introduced Bangladeshi painting to Western countries, especially Europe and America. In the early 1950s’, he toured several cities in the US, London and Europe. Not only did he travel - his photographs and paintings were exhibited alongside the works of world-renowned painters including Picasso, Salvador Dali and other eminent artists, and he held several solo exhibitions in various American cities and London.

Besides his artistic endeavours, Sultan established the “Kurigram Fine Arts Institute” at Narail in 1969 and another art school, now named “Charupeeth”, in Jashore in 1973. For his achievement in fine arts, SM Sultan was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1982; the Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in 1986; and the Independence Day Award in 1993.

The master painter breathed his last in Jashore Combined Military Hospital on 10 October 1994.

BDST: 1140 HRS, OCT 10, 2024
MN