Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury today spoke at the Narail District Shilpakala Academy. Photo: BSS

NARAIL, Aug 10, 2026 (BSS) - Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury today said that the renowned painter S M Sultan was an artist of the soil and its people and an extraordinary painter whose work transcended the boundaries of Narail and the country.

“He was not only an artist of Narail or Bangladesh, he was an extraordinary artist of the world. He showcased Bangladesh to the world through his paintings. Through his patriotism and artworks, the great artist enhanced the image of the country,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion and Sultan Sammanona-2026 awarding ceremony marking the 103rd birth anniversary of renowned painter at the Narail District Shilpakala Academy here.

Nitai Roy Chowdhury said the present government is opening avenues for the evaluation and support of the artists, poets, writers and cultural activists.

“Steps have been taken to introduce folk theatre and other cultural activities based on life and society to resist the spread of subculture,” he said.

The Culture Ministry will patronize quality rural jatrapala, theatre, folk songs, kobigan and other cultural activities, he said adding that comprehensive support would also be given for traditional rural sports such as boat races and lathi khela.

The minister also called for encouraging children and teenagers to take an interest in drawing alongside their studies.

“Quality painting and cultural activities will help the children and teenagers to develop and flourish their mentality,” he said.

At the programme, the Culture Affairs Minister handed over the ‘Sultan Sammanona-2026 to eminent artist of the country Dr Md Abdus Sattar.

Earlier, the minister visited Shishuswarg, the Sultan Memorial Museum and the Art Gallery.

The 103rd birth anniversary programme of S M Sultan was presided over by Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam, President of the S M Sultan Memorial Museum and Narail Deputy Commissioner.

Narail-1 lawmaker Bishwas Jahangir Alam, Narail-2 lawmaker Ataur Rahman Bachchu and Culture Ministry Secretary Kaniz Mowla spoke as special guests.

Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Rezauddin Stalin spoke as the guest of honour at the programme.

Professor Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam of the Department of Fine Arts at Dhaka University delivered the keynote speech at the discussion titled “S M Sultan: An Artist Close to Life and Social Reality.”

Director of the Fine Arts Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Abdul Halim Chanchal delivered the welcome address.

Narail District Council Administrator and freedom fighter Mostafizur Rahman Alok was also present at the event.

A tribute and doa programme was also held at the artist’s grave. District Council Chief Executive Officer Md Asaduzzaman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Ahsan Mahmud Rasel, Narail Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer T.M. Rahsin Kabir, former member-secretary of the Sultan Foundation Advocate Md Iqbal Hossain Sikder, Narail Press Club Vice-President Sultan Mahmud, S M Sultan Memorial Museum curator Tandra Mukherjee, officials of the administration and admirers of Sultan were present.

Under the patronage of the Culture Ministry, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the district administration and the S M Sultan Memorial Museum organised daylong programmes marking the birth anniversary.

The programmes included - Quran Khatam at the S M Sultan Memorial Museum at 6am, a tribute and doa at the artist’s grave at 9am, inauguration of a drawing competition and exhibition for children and teenagers at 9:30am and inauguration of an art camp at 10am. Prize distribution and a cultural programme were also held later.

Painter S M Sultan received the Ekushey Padak in 1982, recognition as a Resident Artist by the Bangladesh government in 1984, the Charushilpi Sangsad Award in 1986 and the Independence Award in 1993.

The painter, known for his humanistic and non-communal outlook, died on October 10, 1994, at the Combined Military Hospital in Jashore. He was buried in the courtyard of his ancestral home here.

The S M Sultan Memorial Museum was established at his ancestral home to preserve the painter’s memory and legacy.