Veteran stage artist, theatre director, painter and writer Asim Basu died here this evening following prolonged illness, his family said. He was 82.
Basu, who was suffering from acute lungs infection for quite some time, had been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Capital Hospital after his health condition turned critical last evening. He breathed his last this evening, family sources said.
Known for his versatility, Basu excelled in the field of fine arts and theatre, contributing immensely to Odisha’s cultural fabric. He also gained eminence in painting and the world of theatre and dominated the cultural arena for several decades. He had acted in some Odia films and directed a few plays.
Basu had been conferred the state Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Expressing grief over the death of the eminent artist, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said Basu was a versatile genius who dedicated his life to art and culture.
“His death has created a huge void in the arena of culture,” said Patnaik. People from different walks of life mourned the death of Basu and a host of theatre personalities, artists and writers paid their last respects to him.