Bangladesh’s Ekushey Padak-winning stage and TV actor Aly Zaker has died.

Aly Zaker breathed his last at Dhaka’s United Hospital around 6:45am (Bangladesh Standard Time) while being treated for Coronavirus. Bangladeshi valiant freedom fighter, Ekushey award-winning cultural personality and eminent actor Aly Zaker was laid to eternal rest at Dhaka Banani graveyard after Asr prayers.

Aly Zaker, also a director, had been battling cancer for the last four years and on November 17, he was admitted to Bangladesh Specialized Hospital following his cardiac issues.

His son Iresh Zaker on Facebook confirmed the legend’s death. Aly Zaker was buried in Banani cemetery of Dhaka around 5:00 pm today local time.

Bangladesh government awarded him the second highest civilian honor in the country — Ekushey Padak — for his contribution to the arts in 1999. Also, he was awarded Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangabandhu Award, Munier Chowdhury Award, and Naren Biswas Award.

He was born on November 6, 1944 in Bangladesh’s Chattogram. In 1972, he joined Aranyak Natya Dal and his first stage drama “Kabor” of Munier Chowdhury.

His most memorable works were “Dewan Gazir Kissa”, “Nurul Din-er Shara Jibon”, renditions of “Macbeth” and “Galileo”.

Zaker also directed plays — “Baki Itihash”, “Bidogdho Romonikul”, “Toilo Sankat”, “Ei Nishiddho Polli Te” and “Ocholayoton”, among others.

He was well known for television classics — “Aaj Robibar” and “Bohubrihi”, both created by Bangladeshi novelist Humayun Ahmed.

Zaker and another eminent theatre personality Sara Zaker tied the knot in 1975 and they have a son — Iresh Zaker and a daughter — Sriya Sharbojoya.

Read more: Legendary Actor Soumitra Chatterjee No More