On the occasion of 94th birthday of internationally noted painter SM Sultan, three-day Sultan festivals in Narail have been started on Wednesday.
As a part of the program, Sultan Foundation will arrange a boat race in the Chitra River on Saturday.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr Biren Sikder will be present as the chief guest in the competition.
Sultan Foundation's general secretary Ashiqur Rahman Miku said that 18 to 20 boats will be participating in the race Four Boats will also be participating run by females.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, the Deputy Commissioner Emdadul Haque Chowdhury inaugurated the festival at the Sultan Manch in Narail.
SM Sultan was born on Aug 10, 1924, in Machimdiaya of Narail. He was laid to rest in Narail on Oct 10, 1994.
The painting maestro was honoured with a number of prestigious titles including Ekushey Padak in 1982, Resident Artist in 1984, and Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Honour in 1986 and 'Swadhinata Padak' in 1993.
He also won global recognition like 'Man of the Year' from Cambridge University, 'Man of Asia' award from the newspaper Asia Week and 'Man of Achievement' from New York's Biographic Centre.