On the occasion of the birth centenary of artist S. M. Sultan (1924–1994), the Bengal Foundation, in collaboration with HSBC Bangladesh, is delighted to present a special photography exhibition titled Shotoborshe Sultan, featuring the works of eminent photographer Nasir Ali Mamun. The exhibition will showcase letters and memorabilia from Nasir Ali Mamun’s private collection, along with a rare selection of photographs capturing S. M. Sultan over the years—from his early days in his village home in Masimdia, Narail, to his later years. Many of these images will be on public display for the very first time, offering an intimate visual narrative of the artist’s remarkable journey.
The inaugural ceremony will be graced by the Honourable Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Ahsan H. Mansur, as Chief Guest, and distinguished artist Monirul Islam and Matiur Rahman, Editor of The Daily Prothom Alo, as Guests of Honour.
A commemorative catalogue titled ‘Seeding the Soul’ will be launched on the occasion.

Inauguration: 6 PM, Friday 22 August 2025
Quamrul Hassan Exhibition Hall, Level 1, Bengal Shilpalay, House 42
Road 27, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1209

Your presence will add warmth and significance to this celebration of a visionary artist and his enduring legacy.
The exhibition is on view until 27 September 2025, everyday from 4 to 8 PM, except Sundays

In Quiet Light: Mamun’s Portraits of Sultan
With Sultan at 100, Bengal Foundation pays tribute to two singular figures in Bangladeshi art—S. M. Sultan, the visionary painter, and Nasir Ali Mamun, the photographer who captured the artist’s enigmatic presence with rare sensitivity. Sultan’s work emerged from a deep well of empathy—a belief in the dignity and power of the ordinary person. Mamun, with a quiet, almost invisible presence behind the camera, framed this belief in stark, contemplative portraits that reveal the soul of a man who stood apart from his time.
This exhibition, organised in collaboration with HSBC Bangladesh, brings together many of Mamun’s photographs of Sultan—some never before shown—alongside personal memorabilia from the photographer’s archive. These images are not simply records; they are meditations on a life, a friendship, and an enduring search for meaning. We extend our gratitude to HSBC Bangladesh, whose continued support helps the arts in Bangladesh thrive and inspire.
Bengal Foundation’s long-standing commitment to preserving Sultan’s legacy is rooted in the vision of Professor Abdur Razzaq, whose influence helped the founder, Abul Khair, shape the organisation’s mission. From the establishment of the S. M. Sultan–Bengal College of Fine Art in Narail to the conservation of over 150 of Sultan’s works, the Foundation’s efforts reflect a deep respect for both artist and art.
In 1987, Professor Abdur Razzaq wrote of Sultan: “One of the defining qualities of his paintings is the ability to see the extraordinary in ordinary people. His spontaneous love for the people of this land, and his profound respect for them, imbue his work with a unique sense of purpose, that finds its way easily to the heart.” The remarkable photographs taken by Nasir Ali Mamun—centred on Sultan—offer a timeless meditation on life itself. Seeding the Soul, the publication accompanying the current exhibition, invites viewers to rediscover Sultan through Mamun’s lens—a visual conversation that continues to stir reflection, wonder, and quiet reverence.

Bengal Foundation