Ekushey Padak winning poet Belal Chowdhury has died at a city hospital on Tuesday. He was 79.
The eminent poet breathed his last at 12:30pm at Anwar Khan Modern Hospital in Dhanmondi, Abdullah Pratik Chowdhury, eldest son of the poet, told news agency UNB.
The decision of his burying and funeral will be taken later after consulting with other family members, he added.
The poet was admitted to the hospital on August 27 last, and had been undergoing treatment there since then. He was suffering from diabetes and kidney problem for long.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has condoled the death of the renowned poet. In a condolence message Hasina said, Belal Chowdhury made his place in the heart of the people through his poems.
"He was a pioneer in journalism," she added.
Chowdhury served Bharat Bichitra as its editor, published from Indian embassy in Dhaka. He was also an editor of Shaptahik Sandwip and Krittibas, a Bengali poetry magazine edited by Sunil Gangopadhyay.
The poet, who also had reputation as journalist, essayist, and translator, was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2014 for his literary contribution. He also received Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1984.
Belal Chowdhury was born on November 12, 1938 in Sharsdi village of Feni in the then Bengal Presidency under the British rule.