The 'Poet of Photography' pays homage to S M SULTAN

It is truly difficult to capture the apt mood of an down-to-earth, yet towering personality like Sheikh Mohammad Sultan in snaps. The unparalleled philosopher, a rare mystic and an internationally renowned artist was bohemian in nature and went through a myriad of eccentric activities in life.

Eminent portrait photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, popularly known as the 'Poet of Photography', did the almost impossible task of uncovering the avant-garde artist and created a distinct visual language by capturing 2000 photos of the art maestro. “I first met S M Sultan back in 1976,” said Nasir Ali Mamun, “From then on, I visited him 20 times and stayed with him every time for around 10 days at his place at Machimdia village, Narail.” The photographer followed the artist very closely, and captured diverse aspects of his personality in his snaps.

Mamun's fifty-eighth solo photography exhibition titled S M. Sultan- The Cosmic Journey of a Fugitive has begun at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka. Sponsored by Delvistaa Foundation, a book on the same title was also launched at the event. The exhibition showcases 27 of Sultan's rare photographs by Mamun. In 2005, Nasir Ali Mamun had published a book titled Guru with 68 photographs of Sultan.

Minister of Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor graced the opening as chief guest, which took place on September 20. Marie-Annick Bourdin, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh, Mario Palma, Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh, eminent artist Monirul Islam, architect and artist Mustapha Khalid Palash, renowned art critic Moinuddin Khaled and the newly appointed director of Alliance Française de Dhaka Olivier Dintinger attended the event as honourable guests. Internationally renowned artist Shahabuddin Ahmed, together with a number of important artists and enthusiasts attended the programme.

Over the span of a decade, Nasir Ali Mamun recorded the one-man journey of the 'fugitive' and bohemian painter S M Sultan. Mamun tried to hold close the artist's pathos, darkness and struggle as he went about recreating on giant canvasses, the essence of human spirit.

Dedicated to Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, the exhibition is showcasing these historic and iconic photographs. Mamun tried to immortalise the inner spirit and philosophy of Sultan illuminating many hidden and obscure facets of the master painter's cosmic journey.

The exhibition, which will go on from Mondays to Thursdays from 3pm to 9pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon and 5pm to 8pm, will remain open until October 5.