At just 10 years old, Bangladeshi young artist Sarah Wania Torafder has already made her mark on the international art scene, winning the Best Artist Award at the KPR International Art Exhibition–2026.
The international art competition brought together young artists from the Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. Sarah’s artwork was selected from the Maldives round and advanced to the final stage of the competition, where it earned the prestigious recognition.
The theme of Sarah’s award-winning painting was a traditional Pohela Boishakh food platter, capturing the vibrant spirit of Bengali culture through its food, festivities, and folk traditions. With her colors and brushstrokes, Sarah created a work that reflects the richness of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage while presenting it to an international audience.
Sarah Wania Torafder, is a third-grade student at Maple Leaf International School in Dhaka. She has been passionate about drawing from an early age. Her creative instinct and love for art have continued to grow, and her achievement at such a young age is a testament to her emerging talent.
For Sarah’s family, the achievement is a moment of immense pride and happiness. Her mother, Sonia Tasnim, is a writer, researcher, essayist, and columnist, while her father, Md. Ashraf Iqbal Torafder, is a marine engineer. The family has always encouraged Sarah to explore and develop her creative abilities.
The award ceremony for the Bangladesh round of the KPR International Art Exhibition–2026 was held on September 4 at the Chitrashala Bhaban of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. It was there that Sarah received the recognition for her achievement.
Sarah’s success is more than a personal accomplishment. It is also a delightful representation of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage on an international artistic platform. Through the eyes and imagination of a young artist, a traditional Pohela Boishakh food platter has become a colorful expression of Bengali identity and heritage.
At an age when most children are only beginning to discover their creative voices, Sarah has already taken her first steps onto an international platform. Her achievement is a source of pride not only for her family and school but also for Bangladesh.
Her journey as a young artist has only just begun. With continued encouragement and opportunities to explore her creativity, Sarah’s colors may carry many more stories of Bangladesh to the world.
Congratulations, Sarah Wania.
May your colors continue to tell the stories of Bangladesh, and may they make our heritage shine even brighter on the world stage.