Poet Shankha Ghosh, the last of the Mohicans of the post-Jibanananda Das era of modern Bangla poetry, died from Covid-19 at the age of 89 at his residence in Kolkata today.
The poet had been suffering from fever. He tested positive for coronavirus infection on April 14.
His treatment started at home four days back, as he declined to be treated in a hospital, they said.
Shankha Ghosh's condition had deteriorated last night and he was put on a ventilator this morning before he died, family sources added.
Ghosh left behind his only daughter Semanti Ghosh.
Fellow poet and Ghosh's family friend Subodh Sarkar said coronavirus has snatched away Ghosh when he was needed the most at a time when West Bengal "is faced with the threat of fascism".
"He was soft-spoken and mild but his pen was powerful, always speaking against the air of intolerance and killing of democracy in the country. He used to be a participant in all movements for free and liberal thinking," Sarkar said.
Born on February 6, 1932 at Chandpur, in the then undivided India, Ghosh was conferred with prestigious Jnanpith, government of India's highest literary honour Sahitya Akademi and many other awards, and India's third highest civilan honour Padma Bhushan.
His epochal book of poems include "Babarer Praarthanaa" for which he got the Sahitya Akademi in 1977.
Among his other notable works are "Dinguli Raatguli," "Mukh Dheke Jaai Biggapone" and "Gaandharba Kobitaguchcha."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Ghosh's death and ordered state funeral for the poet.
