Dhaka: Ekushey Padak-winning Bengali poet Shahid Qadri passed away at a US hospital on Sunday morning. He was 74.

He breathed his last at North Shore University Hospital in New York at about 7:00am local time, UNB reported quoting the poet’s wife Neera Quaderi.

The poet was admitted to the hospital a week ago with high blood pressure and fever.

Earlier on Wednesday, some expatriate journalists and poets in the US said in their Facebook posts that his condition had improved slightly.

Shahid Qadri received prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2011 for his contribution to the Bengali language and literature and he was awarded Bangla Academy Award in 1973 for his poetry.

He had published four books of poetry which are Uttaradhikar (Inheritance, 1967), Tumake Abhibadan Priyatama (Salute to You,

Dearest; 1974), Prem Biraha Bhalobasar Kabita (Poems of Love and Separation), Kothayo Kono Krondon Nai (Weeping Nowhere) and Amar Chombongullo Pouchhaya Deo (Please, Convey my kisses).

He was born on 14 August in 1942.