On the occasion of the 103rd birth anniversary of internationally acclaimed painter SM Sultan, a day-long celebration was held in his native Narail district on Monday, organised by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, honouring an artist who once shared exhibition space with Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali yet spent his life painting barefoot farmers in a mud-walled village studio.

The programs were held on Monday morning at SM Sultan Museum and Shishu Swarg and District Shilpakala Academy, Narail. These included an art camp with the participation of 20 local artists, a painting festival and exhibition with the participation of more than three hundred children and adolescents of Shishu Swarg, 'Sultan Honorary Medal', discussions on Sultan and cultural programs.

Minister of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Nitai Roy Chowdhury MP, was present as the chief guest at the program. Member of Parliament from Narail-1 constituency Mr. Biswas Jahangir Alam MP, Member of Parliament from Narail-2 constituency Mr. Md. Ataur Rahman MP and Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Kaniz Maula were present as special guests. Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Poet Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (Rezauddin Stalin), Additional Superintendent of Police of Narail Mr. Noor-e-Alam Siddiqui were the guests of honour.

The program was presided over by Deputy Commissioner and President SM Sultan Memorial Museum and District Shilpakala Academy, Narail Dr. Mohammad Abdul Salam. The vote of thanks was expressed by Secretary of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Mr. Mohammad Zakir Hossain.

Professor and artist of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam participated as the main discussant in the discussion on Sultan “SM Sultan: An Artist Close to Life and Social Reality”. Mr. Abdul Halim Chanchal, Director of the Fine Arts Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, delivered the welcome speech at the event.

The chief guest of the event, Nitai Roy Chowdhury MP, said, "Painter SM Sultan is a unique painter not only to our people in Narail or across the Padma, but also to the whole of Bangladesh and the whole world. You all know about this world-famous painter. From this year, we have started the 'Sultan Honorary Award'. We will have our eyes on school-based arrangements. According to SM Sultan's idea, if small school children and village children are encouraged in painting and if opportunities are created for them, they will paint. They will also practice other arts along with studies and art. Then their intelligence will be revealed and blossomed. That is, they will be able to stand with their heads held high. We feel the importance of this.

In the event, the artist, researcher, writer, educationist and internationally renowned printmaker Professor Dr. Md. Abdus Sattar, who is a contemporary artist in Bangladesh, was honored for his long and colorful career. The Sultan Award 2026 was presented in recognition of artistic achievement, creativity and special contributions to the arts sector of Bangladesh.

Finally, a delightful cultural program was presented.