Kolkata, May 30 (IANS): Condoling the death of genius storyteller Rituparno Ghosh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said with Ghosh's demise the state has lost "a golden artist of a golden era".

"This is a very sad day for us. Bengal has lost a golden artist of a golden era. Entire Bengal is saddened," Banerjee told reporters outside the late filmmaker's residence at south Kolkata.

Director of landmark films like "Unishe April", "Bariwali" and "Raincoat", Ghosh passed away Thursday morning following a cardiac arrest, family sources said. He was 49.

He was suffering from pancreatitis.

Banerjee said in order to enable the admirers and friends to pay their last respects, his body will be kept at the state-run film and cultural centre Nandan Thursday afternoon.

"We have taken a decision to keep his body at Nandan so that everybody can pay their last respects," she said.

Ghosh's last rites will be held Thursday evening.