Ekushey Padak winning artist Murtaja Baseer passed away at a hospital in the capital on Saturday morning. He was 88.
He breathed his last at the intensive care unit of the Evercare Hospital this morning while undergoing treatment.
His family friend Md Asad confirmed the news to The Business Post.
The national award-winning artist was tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday night.
He was admitted to the hospital whit heart kidney and lungs complications on Thursday night.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of famous artist Murtaja Baseer.
In a condolence message, she said Murtaza Bashir's unique contributions in flourishing country's arena of painting will encourage the future generations.
Murtaza Bashir was born in Dhaka’s Ramna in 1932. He was the chairman of the Fine Arts Department at Chattogram University.
Baseer was the son of scholar and a linguist Dr Muhammad Shahidullah and Marguba Khatun.
A pioneer of surrealistic art, Bashir has done many famous paintings, including 'Dewal,' 'Shahid Shironam,' and 'Pakha’.
Baseer wrote several novels including Ultramarine (1954), Kanch-er Pakhir Gaan (1969), Mitar Shangey Char Shandha and Amitakkhar. He was a regular contributor to now defunct literary journals like Dilruba, Samakal, and Saogat. His first published poem was Parbe Na.
He was the scriptwriter, art director, and chief assistant director of Bengali film Nodi O Nari (The River and the Women).
He was also the art director of Urdu film Kaise Kahoon.
He received the Ekushey Padak in 1980 for his contribution to art. He also received the Swadhinata Puroshkar in 2019.
