Dr Ashraf Siddiqui, a noted poet, folklorist and former director general of Bangla Academy, died due to old age complications at a hospital in the city early Thursday.

He was 90.

Duty manager of Apollo Hospital , Chinmoy said Dr Ashraf breathed his last around 3:15am at the hospital.

Dr Ashraf has been undergoing treatment at the hospital since February 20 with respiratory problems.

He obtained his PhD in folklore studies from Indiana University, United States. His major works include Taleb Master and other poetries (1950), Bish Konya (1955), Saat Bhai Champa (1955), Uttar Akasher Tara (1958), Kuchboron Konya (1976), Brikkho Dao Chhaya Dao (1984), Jhor Tufane (1985), Darao Pothikbor (1990) and many more.

From 1976 to 1983, Dr Ashraf served as the Director-General of Bangla Academy.

For his noteworthy contributions to documentation and research on Bangladeshi folk culture, he received Bangla Academy Award in 1964 and Ekushey Padak in 1988. He is also an Unesco award recipient.

Dr Ashraf Siddiqui also served as the Chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. (BSS).