Noted poet, folklorist Ashraf Siddiqui dies

Noted poet, folklorist and former director general of Bangla Academy Ashraf Siddiqui breathed his last due to old age complications at a hospital in the city early Thursday, reports UNB.

He was 90.

Apollo Hospital duty manager Chinmoy said Ashraf passed away around 3:15am at the hospital.

Ashraf was undergoing treatment at the hospital since 20 February with respiratory problems.

He obtained his PhD in folklore studies from Indiana University, USA.

His major works include Taleb Master and other poetries (1950), Bish Konya (1955), Saat Bhai Champa (1955), Uttar Akasher Tara (1958), Kuchboron Konya (1976), Brikkho Dao Chhaya Dao (1984), Jhor Tufane (1985), Darao Pothikbor (1990) and many more.

Ashraf served as the director-general of Bangla Academy from 1976 to 1983.

For his noteworthy contributions to documentation and research on Bangladeshi folk culture, he received Bangla Academy Award in 1964 and Ekushey Padak in 1988. He is also an UNESCO award recipient.

Ashraf Siddiqui also served as the chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. (BSS).