Eminent artist Murtaja Baseer passed away while undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Evercare Hospital in the capital this morning.
He was 88. He breathed his last at the hospital around 9.15am, according to family sources.
He was admitted to the hospital due to severe respiratory problem and reduction of oxygen saturation rate, along with other old-age complications.
Doctors confirmed that he was COVID-19 positive last evening, the family sources added.
Baseer is the son of scholar and linguist Dr Muhammad Shahidullah and Marguba Khatun. He is the youngest of nine siblings.
The artist was born in August 17, 1932. He was well-known for his painting.
Murtaja Baseer, also a linguist, teacher, poet, filmmaker, art director, researcher and currency expert, was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1980 and the Swadhinata Padak in 2019.
His namaz-e-janaza will be held after Asr prayers today and he will be buried at Banani Graveyard.