The SM Sultan Memorial Museum in Narail, which preserves the works and memories of the renowned artist, now lies unprotected and neglected.

Construction of a two-storey, boat-shaped jetty known as Sultan Ghat on the bank of the Chitra river also remains incomplete due to a lack of funds.

Located on the bank of the Chitra, the museum houses 23 original paintings by SM Sultan and 51 replicas of his works. It now faces serious problems with maintenance amid staff shortages.

"Visitors from home and abroad come here throughout the year, especially during long holidays, but they leave disappointed as their experience remains incomplete due to the lack of proper facilities and curation," said artist Nayon Baidya.

Tandra Mukharjee, curator of the museum, said, "We are facing an acute manpower shortage. We have already applied for additional staffers. Once this problem is solved, we will be able to serve more visitors."

Visitors and locals have also demanded the completion of Sultan Ghat's construction, which began in June 2018 but came to a halt due to fund constraints. Seven years on, the jetty now lies overgrown with weeds and bushes.

"The present condition of Sultan Ghat reflects the utter neglect of the importance of preserving the great painter's memories," said Noor Alam Khan, a teacher from Bagerhat.

Wazir Ali, headteacher of Narail Collectorate School, said, "In Sirajganj, we have Rabindra University, and in Mymensingh there is the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University. We strongly demand that a university be established in Narail in honour of SM Sultan and to improve education in this region."

Tourists visit Narail to see the landscapes that inspired Sultan's art. Many of them have expressed frustration over the poor facilities.

Karima Akhter, a college student from Gopalganj, said, "It's my first time visiting the SM Sultan museum. His paintings are truly mesmerising, and the natural surroundings are beautiful. However, the site needs renovation to cater to visitors."

Contacted, Narail Deputy Commissioner and chairperson of the Sultan Foundation, Sharmin Akhter Jahan, said, "We have previously sent proposals to the ministry concerned for renovating the museum several times, and submitted all necessary documents, including those related to land acquisition for expanding the museum and the plan to make the ghat attractive. Work will begin once the ministry gives approval."

Born on August 10, 1924, in Machimdia village of Narail, Sheikh Mohammed Sultan, popularly known as SM Sultan, rose to prominence for his bold and compassionate portrayal of rural Bengal and its hardworking people in his artworks.

Affectionately known as "Lal Mia of the Chitra riverbank", Sultan received the Ekushey Padak in 1982 and the Independence Award in 1993.

He passed away on October 10, 1994, and was laid to rest beside the Chitra River -- now the grounds of the SM Sultan Memorial Museum -- the very landscape that inspired his finest works.