Speakers, including artists, photographers and sculptors emphasised extensive research on the life and works of eminent artist SM Sultan and preservation of his works at a discussion held at the Bengal Shilpalaya in Dhanmondi, Dhaka on Saturday.
They said that Sultan had a unique personal and artistic style. However, he was ignored by many.
The speakers mentioned that extensive research should be carried out to discover more about SM Sultan鈥檚 life, philosophy and works.
Bengal Foundation organised the discussion titled 鈥楲al Mia Theke Shilpi Sultan: Kichhu Khanda Chitro鈥� marking the birth centenary of Sultan.
Senior artist Nasim Ahmed Nadvi was present as the keynote speaker, senior photographer Nasir Ali Mamun and sculptor Mahbub Zamal Shamim were present as discussants at the session.
The speakers personally interacted with Sultan during his lifetime. They shared their memories of the artist at the session.
Sultan depicted his philosophy in his artworks, which must be preserved, said Nadvi.
鈥業 first saw him on the Charukala premises in 1994,鈥� recalled Nadvi, who added that Sultan was dressed very different from others.
Nadvi said that he was struggling to search for a house for Sultan when the government granted Sultan residency as the artist set three conditions regarding the house, including the house must be a single-storey structure, the loft must have a separate room and there must be a lake towards the north of the house.
Sultan became uneasy during the residency and did not create one painting for Shilpakala Academy every month, said Nadvi.
When Nadvi talked to the artist about the issue, Sultan replied, 鈥楢m I a servant of the government? The government has granted me residency as it is their responsibility. Why must I create one painting every month?鈥�
He mentioned that Sultan believed in spontaneity in art and said that art practice could not be forced.
Mahbub Zamal Shamim said that Sultan lived an ordinary life.
鈥楬e chose common people, farmers and nature as subjects of his paintings,鈥� said Shamim.
Shamim said that Sultan viewed farmers as heroes and the artist depicted the struggles of the farmers through his paintings.
Nasir Ali Mamun said that the subjects of Sultan鈥檚 paintings carried deep meaning and most of them did not contain any texts rather some hints.
鈥楨xtensive research must be done on Sultan鈥檚 works to understand his works,鈥� said Mamun.
Bengal Foundation director general Luva Nahid Choudhury delivered the welcome speech at the discussion.
She said that the foundation was working to create a rich archive comprising Sultan and his artworks.
