Sheikh Mohammad Sultan was born in Masimdia, Narail. His father Sheikh Mohammad Mesher Ali was a farmer. Sultan was the only child of his parents. From a very early age the qualities of a great artist were apparent in his work. Dhirendranath Roy, the Zamindar of Narail noticed Sultan's talents and enrolled him in Kolkata Art College. However, a bohemian by nature, Sultan never completed his education. He went off travelling around India and worked as a freelance artist.

Sultan's first exhibition was held in Simla in 1946, followed by another exhibit in Srinagar. In 1948 at an exhibition in Karachi, his works were featured.

In 1950 Sultan went to the US upon an invitation from the Institute of International Education. Exhibitions featuring Sultan's works were held in Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston and later in London. In 1953 he returned to Narail. There he built a school called 'Shishu Swargo' for children.

Sultan's first exhibition in Dhaka was held in 1976.

Sultan received several awards including an Ekushey Padak in 1982, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in 1986 and the Independence Award in 1993. In 1989, filmmaker Tareque Masud made a documentary film on S.M. Sultan called Adam Surat (The Inner Strength).

Sultan set an example of co-existence with wild animals. His Narail residence housed several animals including snakes.

Sultan passed away on October 10, 1994 at the Combined Military Hospital, Jessore.

Poet Asad Chowdhury was the chief guest at the programme. Poet Nasir Ahmed was the special guest. Professor Munshi Hafizur Rahman and Nihar Bala, the adopted daughter of the maestro shared their memories of S.M. Sultan. M. Aminuzzaman, Managing Director of National Bank presided over the programme. Zafar Iqbal Khan, director CSB News and Rafiqul Haq, managing director of Radio Today, among others, also spoke at the programme.

The discussion was followed by a cultural programme. Dilruba Khan, Zahir Alim and Syed Nasir Hossain performed at the event.