Ekushey Padak-winning photographer Nasir Ali Mamun’s 65th solo exhibition 'Shotoborshe Sultan' opened on Friday at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi, marking the birth centenary of legendary artist SM Sultan.
Organised by the Bengal Foundation in collaboration with HSBC Bangladesh, the exhibition was inaugurated by Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur.
Renowned artist Monirul Islam, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, and HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbub ur Rahman also attended the opening ceremony.
The exhibition showcases 108 rare and powerful photographs of SM Sultan, captured by Mamun between 1977 and 1993. For the first time, exclusive items from Mamun's personal collection— including three of his teeth, handwritten letters, diary pages with writings and drawings, unpublished sketches, and original negatives— are on public display.
Speaking at the inauguration, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said, “When we talk about Bangladesh’s modern artists, three names come to mind — Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan, and SM Sultan. I am deeply moved by the way SM Sultan immortalised the vitality of working people; his depiction of muscular men and women, his portrayal of rural life, hardworking people, and the beauty of nature is truly extraordinary. Cultural patronage is essential, and if more institutions like Bengal come forward, future Sultans and Zainuls will emerge.”
Eminent artist and SM Sultan National and International Birth Centenary Celebration Committee Convener Monirul Islam called the event historic, saying, “I have known Mamun for 40 years; when he started photographing, resources were limited but passion was abundant. As a portrait photographer, Mamun is among the few globally significant names; and this body of work on Sultan will remain a milestone.”
The star of the exhibition and Member Secretary of the SM Sultan National and International Birth Centenary Celebration Committee Nasir Ali Mamun said, “Sultan was a majestic artist, deeply rooted in soil and nature."
"I silently followed him with my camera — it was not easy, but it was my inspired attempt to document the fusion of his art and life. Through these frames, I tried to uncover the mystery of his life and become one with him,” Nasir Ali Mamun reminisced about his beloved artist, SM Sultan.
He also reiterated his call for establishing a photography museum in Bangladesh. “I have initiated an archive called 'Photoseum', but such initiative should have been done by the government. We must establish a photography museum with support from banks and financial institutions so that creative cultural projects like these are preserved for future generations,” Nasir Ali Mamun added.
Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbub ur Rahman also spoke at the inaugural ceremony, which was also joined by Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair, and the event was hosted by Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General of Bengal Foundation.
On the occasion of the exhibition, a special commemorative catalogue titled ‘Seeding the Soul’ was also unveiled at the event, shedding light on Sultan’s life and artistic philosophy.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors every day (except Sundays) from 4 pm to 8 pm until September 27 at Bengal Shilpalay, House 42, Road 27, Dhanmondi.