Rizia Rahman no more

Eminent author Rizia Rahman died at a city hospital at the age of 80, report agencies.

The Ekushey Padak-winning novelist passed away while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of Apollo Hospital around 11.15 am on Friday.

She was suffering from a number of ailments and was hospitalised on Tuesday after falling seriously ill, her only son Abdur Rahman told the news agency.

Born in Kolkata's Bhabanipur in 1939, Rizia migrated to then East Pakistan after the 1947 partition with her family.

Her literary works since the 60s have cut across all genres, including short stories, poems, essays and children's fiction, but she was primarily noted as a novelist.

She received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1978 and was awarded the Ekushey Padak this year.

Some of Rizia's acclaimed works include Agnishakkhora, Ghor Bhanga Ghor, Uttar Purush, Rokter Akkhar, Bong theke Bangla, Aronyer Kachhe, Shilay Shilay Agun, Olikhito Upakhyan, Dhabal Jyosna, Shurjo Shobuj Rokto, Ekal Chirokal, Hey Manab Manabi, Harun Fereni and Utshey Fera.

President Abdul Hamid expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of the prominent writer.

In a condolence message, the President prayed for salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid expressed deep shock at the demise of the novelist.

In a message, he said, "The death of the renowned novelist is an irreparable loss to the cultural arena of the country and people will remember her for her great contributions to Bangla language and literature."