Folklorist and Bangla Academy chairman Shamsuzzaman Khan died of Covid-19 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday noon.
He was 81.
Bangla Academy director general Habibullah Siraji confirmed the matter.
'He died at about 2:00pm at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. He was buried at his family graveyard in Manikganj on Thursday,' said Habibullah Siraji.
State minister for cultural affairs KM Khalid expressed his deep sorrow at the death of the folklorist.
Shamsuzzaman Khan and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 on March 30.
He was born on December 29, 1940 at Charigram in Manikganj. He completed his masters from Dhaka University in 1963.
He received Bangla Academy Award in 2001, Ekushey Padak in 2009 and Independence Award in 2017.
Shamsuzzaman Khan started his career as a teacher and worked as a professor at Haraganga College in Munshiganj, Jagannath College in Dhaka, Mymensingh Agricultural University and National University.
He penned and edited more than 100 books. His works include Folklore Charcha, Bangabandhur Rashtrachinta O Bartaman Bangladesh, Bangabandhur Sangey Alap O Anyanya Prasanga, Muktabuddhi, Dharmanirapekshata O Samakal, Bangarashtrer Galpasamagra, Kishore Rachanasamagra, Bangladesher Utsab and others.
Shamsuzzaman Khan had previously served as director general of Bangla Academy, Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. -Agencies
